Clippers To Retain Neil Olshey As GM
MONDAY, 4:11pm: The agreement to keep Olshey in Los Angeles as the team's general manager is not yet finalized, according to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Considering the Clippers themselves announced the agreement in principle on Friday, I'd be surprised if the deal fell apart, but nothing is officially completed yet.
Wizards To Sign Randy Wittman To Two-Year Deal
MONDAY, 10:11am: The Wizards officially announced today that they'll retain Randy Wittman as head coach, according to a team release. The team didn't release terms of the contract, but according to previous reports, it will be for two years.
"We are excited to bring Randy back as head coach and give him the opportunity to build on the positive momentum that the team showed under his leadership last season," said Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld. "We were very pleased with the development of our young players and the commitment to winning he instilled despite taking over the team under difficult circumstances."
Clippers Exercise Option On Vinny Del Negro
The Clippers have informed Vinny Del Negro that they will pick up his contract option for the 2012/13 season, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. The Clippers confirmed the decision today in a press release.
In his second season with the team, Del Negro led the Clippers to a 40-26 record, the best winning percentage in franchise history. The Clips topped Memphis in the first round of the playoffs before being swept by San Antonio in round two.
Despite Del Negro's success, reports earlier in the year indicated that his job could be in jeopardy. As recently as this week, Del Negro's future was unknown, with ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne suggesting potential alternatives for the Clippers' position. While a number of notable free agent coaches are available, Del Negro's positive relationship with owner Donald Sterling may have played a significant part in the Clippers' decision, as the ESPN scribes noted.
Magic Waive Von Wafer
The Magic have released Von Wafer, according to a team press release. The move reduces Orlando's roster to 14 players, seven of whom are under contract for next season.
Wafer signed a three-year, minimum-salary deal with Orlando in December, but only the first season was guaranteed. Wafer's cap hit for the Magic for 2011/12 was about $1.07MM, but the team won't be on the hook for any more of the 26-year-old's salary. Wafer, who averaged 5.9 points and 14.2 minutes in 33 games this season, will become an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers.
With Wafer no longer on the roster, Orlando has one more nonguaranteed deal to consider — the Magic can avoid paying J.J. Redick's $6.19MM salary if they decide to waive the sharpshooter before August 8th.
Knicks Sign Mike Woodson To Contract Extension
The Knicks and Mike Woodson have finalized a multiyear contract that will keep the coach in New York, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). The Knicks have confirmed the deal in a press release.
Al Iannazzone of Newsday reported earlier this week that Woodson and the Knicks were nearing an agreement, while a number of subsequent reports suggested that an announcement from the team was expected later in the week. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the deal is for three years and could exceed $10MM.
Woodson took over as the Knicks interim head coach earlier this season, after the team parted ways with Mike D'Antoni. The former Hawks coach led New York to an 18-6 record to finish the regular season before the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Lakers Talk Offseason, To Pick Up Bynum’s Option
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters on Wednesday that the Lakers plan to pick up center Andrew Bynum's team option for next season. This move would not have an impact on the much-speculated swap of Bynum for Dwight Howard, as they would have to pick up his option before making the move. Kupchak's statement was part of the Lakers' 2012 exit interview process today, as documented by Mike Trudell on Lakers.com. Many players brought up the much talked about issue of the offense stalling when Kobe goes into "one-on-one" mode, while others discussed their future with the team:
- Pau Gasol said that he met with Kupchak and Mike Brown and they didn't offer him any insight as to the organizations' plans for Gasol this offseason. Gasol reiterated that the trade rumors shouldn't alter a player's game, but admitted that his change in role, many times deferring to Andrew Bynum as the second option, may have affected his production.
- Metta World Peace doesn't think the Lakers need radical change, even stating that they should be up 3 games to 2 on the Thunder right now, says Andy Kamenetzky of ESPN LA. Artest extolled Mitch Kupchak and says it is up to the players to pick up their game to help Kobe Bryant. Kamenetzky adds that there is speculation that Artest or Steve Blake could be trade candidates, but Artest said he loves it in Los Angeles.
- Kupchak offered information beyond their intentions for Bynum. In his talk with media, Kupchak discussed the failed preseason trade for Chris Paul, Gasol's resulting play, the looming opt-out decision of Ramon Sessions and more.
Beno Udrih Exercises 2012/13 Player Option
Beno Udrih has picked up his player option for the 2012/13 season and will return to the Bucks, reports Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee GM John Hammond confirmed the decision.
The Bucks acquired Udrih from Sacramento prior to the lockout last year, but his first season with the Bucks wasn't a strong one. The point guard's scoring rate (11.6 points per 36 minutes) and shooting percentages (.440/.288/.709) were among the worst of his career, making it a lock that he'd pick up his option rather than hit the open market.
Garder suggests the option is worth $7.8MM, while other contract databases have it in the neighborhood of $7.37MM. Either way, it's a significant amount to have to commit to a backup point guard. Still, as I noted when I previewed the Bucks' offseason last week, the team could have a moderate amount of cap space to sign a free agent or two even with Udrih on the books.
Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times first reported that Udrih would exercise his option.
Hawks Exercise Option On Larry Drew
12:27pm: The Hawks officially announced in a press release that they've exercised Drew's option.
"Larry did an outstanding job this season in guiding our team to the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, despite a condensed schedule and unfortunate injuries," said GM Rick Sund. "The Hawks have reached the postseason in each of his years on the bench, and we feel Larry’s experience, expertise and dedication to the game were a key ingredient to our success."
11:40am: The Hawks have picked up their contract option for coach Larry Drew, according to Sekou Smith of NBA.com (via Twitter).
There were rumblings earlier this week that Drew might not have his option for 2012/13 exercised by the Hawks, after failing to make it past the Celtics in round one. But Atlanta's decision to pick it up means Drew will be back on the team's bench for a third season. In his first two years in Atlanta, Drew led the team to an 84-64 record, with one playoff series win, in 2011.
Zach Lowe of SI.com (via Twitter) called the Hawks' decision the "organizational equivalent of [a] shoulder shrug," arguing that Drew is a solid coach, but not one that will take the team to the next level.
Mavs Sign Rick Carlisle To Multiyear Extension
1:04pm: The Mavericks have officially announced Carlisle's extension via a team release. Owner Mark Cuban's statement suggests the contract is for four years.
"We are excited that Rick will be back with the Mavericks for at least the next four years," Cuban said. "He is a proven winner, a great teacher and a coach that will help the Mavericks improve as a team and as an organization."
12:32pm: The Mavericks have agreed to a contract extension with coach Rick Carlisle and will announce the deal later today, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas confirms (via Twitter) that the two sides have reached an agreement.
Carlisle, who coached the Mavericks to a championship last year, was in the last year of his contract with Dallas. He owns a 198-114 record in his four seasons with the Mavs, including three straight years of 50+ wins prior to this season's 36-30 mark.
The agreement with Carlisle is the first of many contract decisions this summer for the Mavs, who could have as many as nine players hitting free agency.
Minor Moves: Justin Dentmon
We'll track today's news from the D-League and overseas in this post, with latest update on top:
- Justin Dentmon arrived in Italy today to join Italian league club Olympia Milano, tweets Emiliano Carchia of Sportando, who reported he signed with the team last week. Dentmon, who signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Spurs and Raptors this season, was the D-League's MVP this season, averaging 22.8 PPG and 5.5 APG for the Austin Toros.