Trail Blazers Rumors

Bucks, Blazers, Hornets, Bulls Eyeing Eddy Curry

Eddy Curry is trying to resurrect his career in training camp with the Spurs, but if he doesn't make the team, it appears he'll plenty of other options. Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio hears the Bucks, Trail Blazers, Hornets and Bulls all could have interest in the 29-year-old 7-footer if the Spurs cut him loose (Sulia link).

Curry was a surprise addition to San Antonio's roster as training camp began last week, and he was reportedly looking fit after having dropped 15 pounds over the summer. The Spurs only have 12 players on fully guaranteed deals, but DeJuan Blair, who has a partial guarantee, and Gary Neal seem destined to make the team, likely leaving just one spot for Curry and four other hopefuls. The early returns indicate that fellow camp invitee Josh Powell is ahead of Curry for that spot, though three weeks still remain before the regular season. 

Wherever Curry winds up, he'll likely be getting the minimum salary, which he made last year on a one-year deal with the Heat. He appeared in only 14 games for Miami, averaging 2.1 points and 0.9 rebounds in 5.9 minutes, and didn't play in the postseason. He's only played 21 games total since his last significant action, which came in 2007/08 when he started 58 games for the Knicks amidst a six-year, $56MM deal.

If he winds up with the Bulls, it probably wouldn't be until late November, when the minimum salary pro-rates down to a figure that would fit under their $70.307MM hard cap. Chicago would have to waive or trade one of its guaranteed contracts to put Curry on the regular season roster before then.

Blazers Notes: Barton, Jeffries, Center, Cuts

The latest updates out of Portland from Trail Blazers training camp on Friday evening:

  • Rookie guard Will Barton tells CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes that he will continue to sit out team practices until his sore hamstring is completely healed.
  • Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge reports that Jared Jeffries underwent the cutting-edge orthokine treatment popularized by Kobe Bryant and baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
  • Head coach Terry Stotts tells The Oregonian's Joe Freeman that he will not name a starting center in the immediate future, preferring to create competition in training camp between Meyers Leonard, J.J. Hickson, and Joel Freeland.
  • Freeman also reports that Stotts will not begin making cuts to the training-camp roster for another couple of weeks.

Blazers Links: Stotts, Freeland, Vanterpool

In an interview with CSNNW.com, Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts talked about the different combinations he's been using in scrimmages early on and the improvisational aspect of his offensive philosophy. Here are a few more noteworthy links to look at from Portland tonight…

Northwest Notes: Aldridge, Nuggets, Thunder

Here's a look at some items out of the Northwest Division..

  • A free agent in 2015, Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge says that he's happy with the direction of the organization, writes Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge.  "I'm fine with it," Aldridge said. "We have some guys who are really, really good. They're young. Give them one or two years and we should be good to go."  The 27-year-old has yet to advance in the playoffs with Portland and finds himself without a bonafide No. 2 star to play with as he enters his prime.
  • For the first time in three years, the Nuggets could go four months without a significant roster overhaul, writes Matt Moore of CBSSports.com.  It remains to be seen how long that will last, however, with Ty Lawson in line for an extension, Andre Iguodala holding an option for 2013/14, and GM Masai Ujiri in a contract year.
  • Thunder guard Daequan Cook doesn't expect James Harden's contract talk to be a distraction for the team this season, writes Susan Bible of HoopsWorld.  Earlier this week, Harden says that he's confident that he'll get a deal done with Oklahoma City.
  • After a slow rookie season, Derrick Williams appears to be on the right track heading int0 2012/13, writes Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press.  The Timberwolves reportedly tried to trade the former Arizona star and two first-round picks to the Blazers over the summer for Nicolas Batum.

Northwest Rumors: Roy, Miller, Thunder, Blazers

The Northwest Division produced the Western Conference champion last year for the first time since it was created, and this year it figures to be one of the NBA's most competitive groupings, as four of the five teams figure to have a shot at a playoff berth. The Blazers are the fifth team, but with a healthy LaMarcus Aldridge and a breakout season from rookie Damian Lillard, they'll be no easy out. We've got notes on every team from the division right here:

Adam Morrison To Retire If Waived By Blazers

Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told the media yesterday that Adam Morrison has a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot in Portland this month. If Morrison doesn't earn a spot on the team, however, he intends to retire, according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.

"I'm going to finish school and start coaching," Morrison said of his alternate plans. "I did the Europe thing and it just wasn't for me. Not saying the (European) culture or anything like that, (or) the people. It just wasn't for me. So, yeah, if it doesn't work out, I'm willing to look myself in the mirror and say, 'I gave it a honest shot' and turn the page. Do something else."

Morrison, 28, has had a disappointing NBA career since being drafted by the Bobcats third overall in 2006, but showed promise at this July's summer league. The former Gonzaga star played for the Nets in Orlando and the Clippers in Las Vegas, averaging 20.0 PPG and shooting 61.9% on three-pointers in Vegas. With Elliot Williams out for the year with an achilles injury, the door may be open for Morrison to earn a spot on the Blazers' roster.

Western Notes: Evans, Trail Blazers, Fournier

Here are a few notes from around the Western Conference. 

  • According to a tweet from the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones, Kings general manager Geoff Petrie says the team hasn't had any significant discussion regarding  a contract extension for Tyreke Evans
  • The San Francisco Chronicle's Rusty Simmons tweets that Warriors center Andris Biedrins has never asked for a trade, and, despite recent reports that the team spent the summer trying to move him, believes he can turn his career around with Golden State. 
  • According to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes, Ronnie Price and Damian Lillard could have a mentor, protege relationship this season with the Trail Blazers. 
  • Nuggets 2012 first round draft pick Evan Fournier probably won't be receiving regular minutes with the team this season, but Denver management still preferred he stay in the United States as opposed to another year over in Europe, writes the Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman
  • Mercurynews.com's Tim Kawakami gives his training camp primer for the Warriors. 

Odds & Ends: Morrison, Turkoglu, Lin, Ginobili

Let's round up a few odds and ends from a busy day around the NBA….

  • Blazers coach Terry Stotts told the media today that summer signee Adam Morrison has a "legitimate" chance to make the team, according to Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge (Twitter link).
  • Hedo Turkoglu says he'd like to finish his career with the Magic, tweets Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
  • Asked about the Knicks' decision to let Jeremy Lin walk in July, GM Glen Grunwald told the media that the Rockets made a commitment to Lin that New York wasn't prepared to make, and that Raymond Felton was a better fit for the Knicks. Marc Berman of the New York Post has the quotes.
  • Manu Ginobili expects to return to the Spurs if he continues playing when his contract expires at season's end, tweets Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
  • Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal poses five burning questions facing the Cavaliers heading into the 2012/13 season. Among Lloyd's five: Whether Dion Waiters was the right choice in June's draft, and whether Anderson Varejao will finish the year with the Cavs.
  • Ben Wallace won't be in camp with the Pistons, since the team doesn't want to put him a position where it may have to cut him, tweets Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.
  • Appearing on KJR in Seattle, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he didn't think any NBA owner would stand in the way of the city of Seattle getting another NBA franchise (link via Sports Radio Interviews).
  • Former NBA veteran Jayson Williams tells ESPN.com's Matt Wong that he's healthy and misses the NBA, but stopped short of saying he's interested in making a comeback.

Trail Blazers Sign Coby Karl

The Trail Blazers have added another player to their training camp roster, officially signing Coby Karl, according to the team's official Twitter feed. The 29-year-old Karl is the son of Nuggets' coach George Karl.

Karl, who went undrafted out of Boise State in 2007, has appeared in just 24 total NBA games for the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Warriors. Since being waived by the Nuggets in August 2010, the 6'5" shooting guard has played overseas in Spain and Italy, and was also part of the Timberwolves' 2012 summer squad in Las Vegas.

The signing of Karl bring Portland's roster to 19 contracts, including at least four that are non-guaranteed. Adam Morrison, Dallas Lauderdale, Demonte Harper, and Karl appear to be the odd men out unless they make a significant impact in camp and preseason action. Sasha Pavlovic's contract is also believed not to be fully guaranteed.

Odds & Ends: Jefferson, Batum, Brand, Nene

In a busy NBA offseason, the Jazz haven't been talked about a great deal on a national level after adding Randy Foye and Marvin Williams to a talented young core.  However, big man Al Jefferson is certainly taking notice.  Referring to former General Manager Kevin O'Connor and current GM Dennis Lindsey, Jefferson said "The GMs did a hell of a job improving our team. I feel a lot better," tweets Steve Luhm of The Salt Lake Tribune.  Jefferson is also entering his walk year, but he says that he hasn't given it any thought (Twitter link).  Here's more from around the league as Sunday turns into Monday..

  • Joe Freeman of The Oregonian looks at the biggest questions facing the Blazers this season.  Among them is whether Nicolas Batum can take the next big step and justify the $45MM contract he was given this summer.  Part of that leap will be an attitude adjustment as Batum often appears to look passive on the floor.
  • Mavericks forward Elton Brand says that he expects to serve as the club's enforcer in 2012/13, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com.  Dallas claimed the former All-Star off of waivers back in July after he was amenstied by the 76ers.
  • If the Wizards hope to turn things around this year, they'll need a major contribution from forward Nene, writes Michael Lee of The Washington Post.  Nene, acquired at last year's deadline from Denver, has battled back from two major setbacks in his career and will have to stay healthy in order for the Wizards to stay competitive this season.