Odds & Ends: Knicks, Walton, D12, Jazz, Wright
As NBA training camps continue, the big stories around the league today involved the Association's new anti-flopping policy and the Knicks finally making Rasheed Wallace's signing official. In spite of the buzz surrounding Wallace's return to the NBA, Knicks coach Mike Woodson tells Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter link) that he views 'Sheed as an insurance policy, rather than someone who will play big minutes. Here are a few more odds and ends from around the league:
- There's still a chance Josh Howard ends up on the Knicks, but the team would have to cut someone to make room for him, tweets Zwerling. For now, New York is in "wait-and-see mode" while the team evaluates its current players, a source tells Zwerling (Twitter link).
- If the Cavaliers have made Luke Walton a buyout offer, he isn't aware of it, says Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Sulia link). According to Amico, Walton leaves such matters to his agent, and is expecting to play out the final year of his contract with the Cavs.
- The timetable for Dwight Howard's potential return keeps moving up, if you ask Howard, who tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports that he could play in the preseason.
- While Jazz players like Chris Quinn, Brian Butch, Darnell Jackson, and Trey Gilder are long shots to make the club's roster, coach Tyrone Corbin says everyone has a chance, according to Mike Sorensen of the Deseret News.
- Israeli team Maccabi Rishon LeZion has announced the signing of 2007 lottery pick Julian Wright, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.
- In an Insider piece, ESPN.com's David Thorpe explores the impact it would have if the D-League evolved into a full minor league system for the NBA.
Northwest Notes: Jazz, Millsap, Carter
Israeli point guard Gal Mekel wasn't talked about much as a possibility for the NBA this summer but yesterday we learned that the Jazz have their eye on him. However, visa complications would make it difficult for Mekel to get into camp on time and make his case for a roster spot. If the 24-year-old does wind up with the Jazz or another club, he would become the league's second Israeli player after Cleveland's Omri Casspi. Here's more on the Jazz and other notes out of the Northwest division..
- Paul Millsap reiterated yesterday that he'd "absolutely" like to re-sign with the Jazz next summer, but it's unclear whether the Jazz will commit to both Millsap and Derrick Favors long-term, writes Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune. Over the summer, the Jazz reportedly offered Millsap a three-year, $25MM contract extension.
- Millsap is among the players to keep an eye on as they enter a contract year, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. The 27-year-old has shown progress in every season and another significant step forward can put him in line for a major payday in the summer. As it stands now, the powerful big man looks to be one of the bigger gets in the 2013 free agent class.
- Fan favorite Anthony Carter is excited to be back with the Nuggets in camp, even though he is fighting to crack the roster during this go 'round, writes Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post. Denver's signings of Carter and Ben Uzoh yesterday brought the roster count to 17. The two are now in a three-horse race with point guard Julyan Stone for the final spot with the club.
Jazz Eyeing Gal Mekel
After an impressive workout, Israeli point guard Gal Mekel has received an unexpected training camp invitation from the Jazz, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. However, according to Stein, visa issues may make it impossible for Mekel to arrive at camp on time, meaning he'd miss a handful of practices and be at a disadvantage when it comes to earning a roster spot.
Due to those visa issues, the most likely scenario involves Mekel playing in Europe for another season, then arriving in North America next July to participate in summer league action. Mekel, 24, would become Israel's second-ever NBA player, if he were to earn a roster spot with a team this year or next. Cleveland's Omri Casspi was the first.
Mekel played college ball in America at Wichita State from 2006 to 2008 before heading to Israel to play professionally. He played for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Gilboa Galil Elyon, winning the Israel Super League's rookie of the year honors in 2009 and MVP in 2011. Last season, the 6'4" point guard played in Italy for Benetton Treviso.
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.
Odds & Ends: James, Pacers, Odom, Evans
Here's some general news and notes from around the league.
- Despite switching to an agent who holds an office in Cleveland, LeBron James recently told the media that the move does not mean anything significant regarding his opt-out clause after the 2014 season, writes the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman.
- IndyStar.com's Bob Kravitz writes that Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has already established himself as one of the most respected coaches in the league.
- The Kings are now saying they never placed Tyreke Evans on the trading block, writes the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones.
- Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy wonders if Lamar Odom can revitalize his career now that he's with the Clippers.
- SherdianHoops.com's Tommy Dee takes a look at some training camp invites who could realistically make their respective teams.
- Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune believes that young players on the Jazz have taken care of their respective weaknesses in the offseason, and that the team's core should be greatly improved heading into the months ahead.
- Blake Griffin is using last season's playoff loss as extra motivation, writes Hoopsworld.com's Lang Greene.
- David Mayo of MLive.com writes that the Pistons are hoping their young pieces can soon grow together into a special unit.
Josh Howard Unlikely To Sign With Knicks
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com hears that the Knicks are probably out of the running for swingman Josh Howard (Twitter link). Zwerling's source believes Howard will find a better fit elsewhere, but all offers are likely to be for the minimum salary.
Howard met with the Spurs and Sixers this month, and Zwerling indicates the Jazz and Bobcats are potential destinations as well. This week Howard was said to be negotiating with four unknown teams, and the Knicks appeared to be one of them. That was the case even after Rasheed Wallace told the team he would come out of retirement to fill its final preseason roster spot, though signing both Wallace and Howard would have required New York to part ways with one of its training camp invitees.
Several teams have been linked to Howard at different points throughout the summer, with as many as five teams in the running when he was reportedly close to a deal in July. The 32-year-old former All-Star has remained on the shelf after a season in which he averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds with a 10.5 PER in 23.0 minutes per game for the Jazz.
Odds & Ends: Atlantic, Previews, Draft
Here are a few odds and ends from around the NBA on Friday night:
- Dei Lynam of CSN Philly goes "Around the Atlantic," touching on Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett and a glowing quote from Keyon Dooling on Rajon Rondo.
- Here is the index page of HoopsWorld's team-by-team season previews for the upcoming season.
- We are a long way away from the 2013 NBA Draft, nine months to be (close to) exact, but I can't help myself. After dubbing LeBryan Nash the top NBA prospect in the Big 12 a few days ago, Draft Express rounds out their top five with Myck Kabongo, Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson and Pierre Jackson respectively.
- More draft news, as Joe Kotch of Sheridan Hoops published his top 10 list for the 2013 event. As we all know, this will change exponentially as the draft approaches. Now entering the 2012-13 season, be sure to use us to look back on the 2012 draft this past June.
Jazz Tell Raja Bell To Stay Away From Camp
The Jazz announced Friday that they have told Raja Bell, who is under contract with the team, that it would be best if he did not attend training camp next week. General Manager Dennis Lindsey issued the following statement:
“I have spoken with Raja and his representative, Herb Rudoy, and we have mutually agreed that although Raja remains under contract, it is in the best interest of all parties that he not re-join the team next week when the Jazz begins training camp. We will now move forward focusing on Jazz basketball and our preparation for the upcoming season. We will have no further comment on this matter.”
There has been plenty of buzz lately around Bell's situation in Utah, and many assumed that it would result in a trade or buy out before the start of camp. Bell was in Salt Lake City on Monday for a physical, but as of yesterday had not heard from the team, says Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune.
The 35-year-old Bell is set to make $3.5MM in his final season with the Jazz. His playing time drastically fell last season as he reportedly butted heads with head coach Tyrone Corbin, but Bell could probably still be a valuable role player on the right team.
Jerry Zgoda, of the Star Tribune, tweets that the Timberwolves valued Bell's defense before which indicates they may be a fit once again. While I can't imagine the Jazz agreeing to send Bell to a division rival, if Zgoda is right it could explain part of their hesitation to simply part ways with the guard.
Josh Howard In Negotiations With Four Teams
Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune says (via Twitter) that Josh Howard is still negotiating with four NBA teams, listing the Knicks as one of the possible destinations. In another tweet, Smith says that Howard hopes to sign a contract before the start of NBA training camp, and that any move involving the Jazz will be contingent on what the team does with Raja Bell. Yesterday, we relayed a report that intimated New York's continued interest in the 32-year-old swingman.
Odds & Ends: Grizzlies, Young, Bell, Thunder
Earlier today, we heard Grizzlies power forward Darrell Arthur had suffered a leg fracture, and the team's website reports the left leg injury will keep him out four to six weeks. The timetable is longer for center Hamed Haddadi, who'll be rehabbing for the next eight weeks after right thumb surgery, according to the team. Since Marreese Speights enters camp as the only healthy big man on a guaranteed deal behind Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the injuries could represent an opportunity for camp invitees Jerome Jordan, Jarrid Famous and Michael Dunigan. Here's the rest of what's happening around the Association:
- Nick Young expressed his excitement about his new Sixers teammates to reporters today, including Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com. He also spoke about how he ended up in Philadelphia. "I was shocked. I didn’t see this being one of the places I was going to come to," he said. "(Coach) Doug (Collins) called me early, 6:00am L.A. time, and we were just talking and it was a great talk. He had a good spirit to him. He talked to my dad and my mom and once my mom started raving about him that was pretty much it."
- Brian T. Smith of The Salt Lake Tribune hears that Raja Bell and the Jazz haven't made any progress toward a buyout with the start of training camp looming just five days from now (Twitter links).
- Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman believes the Thunder are willing to become a taxpaying team to retain James Harden, but the question is just how much they're willing to dole out.
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel has details on some of the 23 new members of the Magic front office, coaching and scouting staffs, including recently retired guard Anthony Parker, who'll work as a scout.
- James Worthy's favorite offseason addition for the Lakers is Steve Nash, and the Hall-of-Fame forward has some strong criticism of Dwight Howard, as Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register writes.