Josh Criiiiibbs
The Variable
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Is ESPN rumor central, literally just compiled quotes from free news sources? That is amazing.
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ESPN Rumor Central
- Thread starter SanduskyCav
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jjc58
Towel Waver
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Did Shaq just call Chris Bosh "the RuPaul of big men"?
Has RuPaul done anything remotely noteworthy in the last 10+ years? Unless s/he's been on some reality show recently, I think Shaq's still living in the 90s.
Not sure that's a compliment in any event.
**Edit** RuPaul's got a show called DragQueen on the Logo network.
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/MTV-s-Logo-Features-RuPaul-In-A-New-Reality-Show-10427.html
Makes me question Shaq's viewing habits...
Has RuPaul done anything remotely noteworthy in the last 10+ years? Unless s/he's been on some reality show recently, I think Shaq's still living in the 90s.
Not sure that's a compliment in any event.
**Edit** RuPaul's got a show called DragQueen on the Logo network.
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/MTV-s-Logo-Features-RuPaul-In-A-New-Reality-Show-10427.html
Makes me question Shaq's viewing habits...
Lee
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I love the qute, but if Bosh is the rupaul, then what was Rodman?
SanduskyCav
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The Oi
Ahhhh chachachacha
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What do you mean? Seems like this gem was just yesterday...
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TDqPpbqSnAI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TDqPpbqSnAI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
SanduskyCav
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Wednesday, March 11
Pacers' Future Is Up In The Air
Indiana Pacers co-owner Herb Simon stressed Tuesday that he wants to keep his team in Indianapolis but was equally adamant that he can no longer afford the operating expenses at Conseco Fieldhouse or the team's year-after-year financial losses.
"There comes a point where you have to say, 'Maybe I can't do this anymore,'" Simon, 74, said in an hourlong meeting with executives and reporters at The Indianapolis Star. "Certainly my family, if I'm not here, is not going to be able to do it.
"So, let's straighten this thing out. Maybe we can't. But let us try. Sure, I would have picked a better time than the world's greatest economic crisis. The timing sucks, but that's what it is."
The timing is triggered by a clause in the Pacers' lease -- signed when the team moved into the fieldhouse in 1999 -- that allows the team to renegotiate with the city's Capital Improvement Board after 10 years.
Simon avoided making threats to leave town and said he has not spoken to other cities that might be interested in the team. But, he stressed, "it's very important we resolve this in the near future. Very important." -- The Indianapolis Star
LeBron Ready To Play More
LeBron James | Cavaliers
LeBron James is prepared to increase his playing time if needed to make sure the Cavs finish the month strong.
"If playing time has to increase for us to win ballgames because of the race with Orlando and Boston and L.A., then it will increase," James said Tuesday. "I have no problem with that because I feel healthy. I have nicks and bruises but everybody does; I'm comfortable." -- The Plain Dealer
Frosty Relationship Not A Surprise
Dwyane Wade | Heat
Last week's frostiness between Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal did not surprise their friends, with one noting that Shaq last year e-mailed to people a Photoshopped picture of Wade's face on a woman's body. -- The Miami HeraldTriano Will Coach Somewhere
Toronto Raptors head coach Jay Triano was asked about his future yesterday. His take? One way or the other, it lies in coaching.
""I haven't thought of that, I don't know," he said. "Right now, the focus is on winning basketball games. Whatever happens at the end of the season will happen regardless of what I think or what I project. My job is to try win as many games as I can. I'll coach somewhere. If I'm coaching down the street at a high school, I have notes now from an experience this year. I'm a coach, I don't need to be here, I can be anywhere I want." -- The Globe and Mail
GM Bryan Colangelo was asked to respond, to both Triano's optimistic stance on staying and to a strong rumour that he was promised he could go back to being an assistant in 2009-10 if he didn't work out as Sam Mitchell's replacement.
"It's safest to say the situation with Jay is as it was in the beginning, to be addressed at the end of the year," Colangelo said. "That's all that needs to be said so this doesn't become a daily distraction.
"I've been on record as saying Jay is doing a terrific job, his ideas are the right ones. If he were to be rated out right now, outside of the obvious winning and losing record, he has done a nice job taking over in mid-season." -- Toronto Sun
Brooks Hopes To Shed Interim Tag
Though former Kings assistant Scott Brooks continues to receive positive reviews for his performance as interim coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, his status remains unchanged. He's just another of the league's temporary coaches hoping to land the job permanently.
"No talks yet," said Brooks. "I'm still interim. It hasn't really crossed my mind -- too much. But I like what I'm doing. I'm getting better.
"I feel like I'm almost a mirror of our team. They're a bunch of young guys who are getting better, and I'm improving with them. I critique myself after every game. Our players are all gym rats, so we're kind of from the same mold. We want to get better, and I think we have." -- Sacramento Bee
Malone: Sam Needs To Get Mean
Samuel Dalembert | 76ers
Samuel Dalembert, who went scoreless and grabbed only three rebounds in limited playing time Sunday, spent about 10 minutes after practice speaking with Tony DiLeo.
"I talk to a lot of players all the time," was how DiLeo explained the conversation.
Added DiLeo: "Sam will be fine. He knows how important he is to this team."
"I haven't been happy, but I think like a man," Dalembert said. "I want to go in and when I'm not, I cheer for my teammates," Dalembert said. When asked about DiLeo's distribution of minutes, Dalembert said, "I don't hold anything against him." -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Moses Malone offered advice as to how Dalembert should handle this latest rough patch.
"He needs to get mean," Malone said. "Think of himself as No. 1. Play hard every night. That's the only way you get better. Do not have a letdown, because I believe when you do that you let down yourself most of all." -- Philadelphia Daily News
Brand Moves Ahead In Recovery
Elton Brand | 76ers
Sixers power forward Elton Brand, who had season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder on Feb. 9, was allowed to remove his arm from a sling yesterday. He was cleared by Dr. Craig Morgan, who performed the procedure, to begin range-of-motion exercises.
Brand is expected to begin shooting and dribbling in 2 months, with 3 additional months required for a full recovery. -- Philadelphia Daily News
Virtual Lock To Return
Louis Amundson | Suns
Louis Amundson is a virtual lock to return next season, when the Suns have a team option to keep him for the bargain salary of $855,189.
"It feels good to be wanted," Amundson said.
The 26-year-old is counted on for defense and rebounding but has been a better finisher lately on offense.
"I'm way more confident out there," he said. "Nothing's new to me. That experience alone is something I can build on." -- The Arizona Republic
Hammond Likes Roster Moving Forward
GM John Hammond thinks the franchise will be able to navigate in the rough waters through the next two seasons.
He wants to keep the Bucks pointing ahead, after a marked improvement in his first year as general manager and under the guidance of coach Scott Skiles.
"We have retained optimism because we like our roster moving forward," Hammond said. "We like the fact that bringing Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson and Andrew Bogut back, we think we will remain a competitive team.
"Could we, should we be a playoff team? We hope so. And we know we have tough financial constraints, but we realize there is light at the end of the tunnel for us from a financial position, in two years." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Williams To Visit Back Specialists
Marvin Williams | Hawks
Marvin Williams can't remember exactly what happened. However, if a back injury costs the Hawkss starting small forward significant time, you can bet he'll go over one play in his mind again and again.
"I remember getting up off the floor and coming back down on defense and my back just locked up," Williams said about a play Saturday against Detroit.
Williams, who is listed as out indefinitely, is scheduled to see specialists at Duke University today. A final decision on his status could come by the end of the week. Surgery could be an option. -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Szczerbiak Would Like To Stay With Cavs
Wally Szczerbiak | Cavaliers
This summer, for the first time in his 10-year career, guard Wally Szczerbiak will be a free agent. Now that he has found a home with the Cavs, he said he would like to stay with the team if everything works out. But don't expect him to bring it up.
"Of course, I'd want to come back," Szczerbiak said. "But I don't worry about that stuff, I'm just playing as hard as I can because I'm a firm believer that contract stuff affects you in a negative way."
"Once you find a place and a system you are comfortable with, you can work to get better," Szczerbiak said. "I am not a big proponent for change." -- The Plain Dealer
Parker Wants Brown To Help French Team
Tony Parker | Spurs
Tony Parker, a member of the French National Team, had a pregame conversation with Charlotte coach Larry Brown about plans to have Brown assist the French team this summer.
"He said he wanted to talk to the coach first to see if they could work together," Parker said, "because he said he didn't want to overshadow him, or anything like that.'
Parker hopes the two can work together. "Oh, definitely," Parker said. "We will take all the help we can get from Larry Brown. He's one of the best coaches in the world, so it would be great." -- San Antonio Express-News
Absence Could Be Much Longer
Josh Howard | Mavericks
The condition of Josh Howard's injured left ankle is becoming more uncertain.
The Mavericks' small forward will be examined again Thursday by the same specialist who looked at him Monday.
And while the Mavericks have said Howard will miss the first two games of their four-game trip, the possibility exists that his absence could be much longer, possibly until the end of March. -- The Dallas Morning News
Nelson Offers Details Of Lineup Changes
A day after saying that the Warriors "obviously" were going to make changes this summer to avoid having a second straight bad season, coach Don Nelson offered more details Tuesday of his planned makeover.
Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson starting in the backcourt, Jamal Crawford coming off the bench, Corey Maggette and Kelenna Azubuike returning to their natural small-forward positions, and Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright splitting time at power forward.
"We've got our center position pretty well taken care of," Nelson said. "We've got a great sixth man (Maggette). The people that we've invested our money in ... (Ellis) hasn't been able to play all year," Nelson said.
"We've got a lot of talent at the other positions that's either going to help us acquire somebody who's a good fit, or going to be able to rise up and be part of what we're doing."-- San Francisco Chronicle
Kings To Reduce Ticket Prices
As a response to the bad economy, the Kings will announce season-ticket price reductions today that will cut the cost of some plans by as much as 44 percent for the 2009-10 season.
One-third of all tickets in Arco Arena will be $25.50 or less, and the franchise will continue to offer 1,000 tickets at $10 for next season. The move mirrors what most NBA teams have done in recent weeks to reach out to fans struggling to pay their mortgages and retain their jobs. -- Sacramento Bee
Price Cuts
The Pistons feel their fans' economic pain.
The team announced Tuesday they will lower all season-ticket prices for the 2009-10 season by at least 10 percent for current season-ticket holders.
Season-ticket holders who renew and pay in-full by May 1 will save at least 10 percent. Fans who purchase the new 10-payment plan, or take advantage of a free upgrade option on seats, can also save money.
"As an organization, we understand how fortunate we are to have such a loyal season ticket holder base," team president Tom Wilson said. "The economic situation here in Michigan is difficult right now and we feel we need to do our part to respond to the stresses that have been placed on everyone in this region. This is about responding to the needs of our fans, our stakeholders." -- The Detroit News
Pacers' Future Is Up In The Air
Indiana Pacers co-owner Herb Simon stressed Tuesday that he wants to keep his team in Indianapolis but was equally adamant that he can no longer afford the operating expenses at Conseco Fieldhouse or the team's year-after-year financial losses.
"There comes a point where you have to say, 'Maybe I can't do this anymore,'" Simon, 74, said in an hourlong meeting with executives and reporters at The Indianapolis Star. "Certainly my family, if I'm not here, is not going to be able to do it.
"So, let's straighten this thing out. Maybe we can't. But let us try. Sure, I would have picked a better time than the world's greatest economic crisis. The timing sucks, but that's what it is."
The timing is triggered by a clause in the Pacers' lease -- signed when the team moved into the fieldhouse in 1999 -- that allows the team to renegotiate with the city's Capital Improvement Board after 10 years.
Simon avoided making threats to leave town and said he has not spoken to other cities that might be interested in the team. But, he stressed, "it's very important we resolve this in the near future. Very important." -- The Indianapolis Star
LeBron Ready To Play More
LeBron James | Cavaliers
LeBron James is prepared to increase his playing time if needed to make sure the Cavs finish the month strong.
"If playing time has to increase for us to win ballgames because of the race with Orlando and Boston and L.A., then it will increase," James said Tuesday. "I have no problem with that because I feel healthy. I have nicks and bruises but everybody does; I'm comfortable." -- The Plain Dealer
Frosty Relationship Not A Surprise
Dwyane Wade | Heat
Last week's frostiness between Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal did not surprise their friends, with one noting that Shaq last year e-mailed to people a Photoshopped picture of Wade's face on a woman's body. -- The Miami HeraldTriano Will Coach Somewhere
Toronto Raptors head coach Jay Triano was asked about his future yesterday. His take? One way or the other, it lies in coaching.
""I haven't thought of that, I don't know," he said. "Right now, the focus is on winning basketball games. Whatever happens at the end of the season will happen regardless of what I think or what I project. My job is to try win as many games as I can. I'll coach somewhere. If I'm coaching down the street at a high school, I have notes now from an experience this year. I'm a coach, I don't need to be here, I can be anywhere I want." -- The Globe and Mail
GM Bryan Colangelo was asked to respond, to both Triano's optimistic stance on staying and to a strong rumour that he was promised he could go back to being an assistant in 2009-10 if he didn't work out as Sam Mitchell's replacement.
"It's safest to say the situation with Jay is as it was in the beginning, to be addressed at the end of the year," Colangelo said. "That's all that needs to be said so this doesn't become a daily distraction.
"I've been on record as saying Jay is doing a terrific job, his ideas are the right ones. If he were to be rated out right now, outside of the obvious winning and losing record, he has done a nice job taking over in mid-season." -- Toronto Sun
Brooks Hopes To Shed Interim Tag
Though former Kings assistant Scott Brooks continues to receive positive reviews for his performance as interim coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, his status remains unchanged. He's just another of the league's temporary coaches hoping to land the job permanently.
"No talks yet," said Brooks. "I'm still interim. It hasn't really crossed my mind -- too much. But I like what I'm doing. I'm getting better.
"I feel like I'm almost a mirror of our team. They're a bunch of young guys who are getting better, and I'm improving with them. I critique myself after every game. Our players are all gym rats, so we're kind of from the same mold. We want to get better, and I think we have." -- Sacramento Bee
Malone: Sam Needs To Get Mean
Samuel Dalembert | 76ers
Samuel Dalembert, who went scoreless and grabbed only three rebounds in limited playing time Sunday, spent about 10 minutes after practice speaking with Tony DiLeo.
"I talk to a lot of players all the time," was how DiLeo explained the conversation.
Added DiLeo: "Sam will be fine. He knows how important he is to this team."
"I haven't been happy, but I think like a man," Dalembert said. "I want to go in and when I'm not, I cheer for my teammates," Dalembert said. When asked about DiLeo's distribution of minutes, Dalembert said, "I don't hold anything against him." -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Moses Malone offered advice as to how Dalembert should handle this latest rough patch.
"He needs to get mean," Malone said. "Think of himself as No. 1. Play hard every night. That's the only way you get better. Do not have a letdown, because I believe when you do that you let down yourself most of all." -- Philadelphia Daily News
Brand Moves Ahead In Recovery
Elton Brand | 76ers
Sixers power forward Elton Brand, who had season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder on Feb. 9, was allowed to remove his arm from a sling yesterday. He was cleared by Dr. Craig Morgan, who performed the procedure, to begin range-of-motion exercises.
Brand is expected to begin shooting and dribbling in 2 months, with 3 additional months required for a full recovery. -- Philadelphia Daily News
Virtual Lock To Return
Louis Amundson | Suns
Louis Amundson is a virtual lock to return next season, when the Suns have a team option to keep him for the bargain salary of $855,189.
"It feels good to be wanted," Amundson said.
The 26-year-old is counted on for defense and rebounding but has been a better finisher lately on offense.
"I'm way more confident out there," he said. "Nothing's new to me. That experience alone is something I can build on." -- The Arizona Republic
Hammond Likes Roster Moving Forward
GM John Hammond thinks the franchise will be able to navigate in the rough waters through the next two seasons.
He wants to keep the Bucks pointing ahead, after a marked improvement in his first year as general manager and under the guidance of coach Scott Skiles.
"We have retained optimism because we like our roster moving forward," Hammond said. "We like the fact that bringing Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson and Andrew Bogut back, we think we will remain a competitive team.
"Could we, should we be a playoff team? We hope so. And we know we have tough financial constraints, but we realize there is light at the end of the tunnel for us from a financial position, in two years." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Williams To Visit Back Specialists
Marvin Williams | Hawks
Marvin Williams can't remember exactly what happened. However, if a back injury costs the Hawkss starting small forward significant time, you can bet he'll go over one play in his mind again and again.
"I remember getting up off the floor and coming back down on defense and my back just locked up," Williams said about a play Saturday against Detroit.
Williams, who is listed as out indefinitely, is scheduled to see specialists at Duke University today. A final decision on his status could come by the end of the week. Surgery could be an option. -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Szczerbiak Would Like To Stay With Cavs
Wally Szczerbiak | Cavaliers
This summer, for the first time in his 10-year career, guard Wally Szczerbiak will be a free agent. Now that he has found a home with the Cavs, he said he would like to stay with the team if everything works out. But don't expect him to bring it up.
"Of course, I'd want to come back," Szczerbiak said. "But I don't worry about that stuff, I'm just playing as hard as I can because I'm a firm believer that contract stuff affects you in a negative way."
"Once you find a place and a system you are comfortable with, you can work to get better," Szczerbiak said. "I am not a big proponent for change." -- The Plain Dealer
Parker Wants Brown To Help French Team
Tony Parker | Spurs
Tony Parker, a member of the French National Team, had a pregame conversation with Charlotte coach Larry Brown about plans to have Brown assist the French team this summer.
"He said he wanted to talk to the coach first to see if they could work together," Parker said, "because he said he didn't want to overshadow him, or anything like that.'
Parker hopes the two can work together. "Oh, definitely," Parker said. "We will take all the help we can get from Larry Brown. He's one of the best coaches in the world, so it would be great." -- San Antonio Express-News
Absence Could Be Much Longer
Josh Howard | Mavericks
The condition of Josh Howard's injured left ankle is becoming more uncertain.
The Mavericks' small forward will be examined again Thursday by the same specialist who looked at him Monday.
And while the Mavericks have said Howard will miss the first two games of their four-game trip, the possibility exists that his absence could be much longer, possibly until the end of March. -- The Dallas Morning News
Nelson Offers Details Of Lineup Changes
A day after saying that the Warriors "obviously" were going to make changes this summer to avoid having a second straight bad season, coach Don Nelson offered more details Tuesday of his planned makeover.
Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson starting in the backcourt, Jamal Crawford coming off the bench, Corey Maggette and Kelenna Azubuike returning to their natural small-forward positions, and Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright splitting time at power forward.
"We've got our center position pretty well taken care of," Nelson said. "We've got a great sixth man (Maggette). The people that we've invested our money in ... (Ellis) hasn't been able to play all year," Nelson said.
"We've got a lot of talent at the other positions that's either going to help us acquire somebody who's a good fit, or going to be able to rise up and be part of what we're doing."-- San Francisco Chronicle
Kings To Reduce Ticket Prices
As a response to the bad economy, the Kings will announce season-ticket price reductions today that will cut the cost of some plans by as much as 44 percent for the 2009-10 season.
One-third of all tickets in Arco Arena will be $25.50 or less, and the franchise will continue to offer 1,000 tickets at $10 for next season. The move mirrors what most NBA teams have done in recent weeks to reach out to fans struggling to pay their mortgages and retain their jobs. -- Sacramento Bee
Price Cuts
The Pistons feel their fans' economic pain.
The team announced Tuesday they will lower all season-ticket prices for the 2009-10 season by at least 10 percent for current season-ticket holders.
Season-ticket holders who renew and pay in-full by May 1 will save at least 10 percent. Fans who purchase the new 10-payment plan, or take advantage of a free upgrade option on seats, can also save money.
"As an organization, we understand how fortunate we are to have such a loyal season ticket holder base," team president Tom Wilson said. "The economic situation here in Michigan is difficult right now and we feel we need to do our part to respond to the stresses that have been placed on everyone in this region. This is about responding to the needs of our fans, our stakeholders." -- The Detroit News
SanduskyCav
Hall-of-Famer
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Friday, May 15
Nowitzki Wants To Remain In Dallas
Dirk Nowitzki | Mavericks
While Dirk Nowitzki noted that he could opt out of his max contract in 2010 and become a free agent, he said he hasn't considered the possibility.
"After I played here for 11 years, played hurt, played sick, whatever they needed me to do, basically playing my heart out for the last 11 years, I don't think it would feel the same way somewhere else," Nowitzki said. "It's always been my dream here to finish my career and win a championship. I think my window has not closed yet." -- The Dallas Morning News And of course, since "the bank of Cuban" is open it's quite possible Dirk could get some extra help -- in the form of Shaq, Chris Bosh, or another big.
Miles' Days In Memphis Are Over
Darius Miles | Grizzlies
Darius Miles is an unrestricted free agent. He played in 34 games for the Griz this season. Although the Griz haven't publicly stated their intentions, their plan was always to start next season without Miles.
The Griz grew weary of Miles' waning work ethic and his relationship with rookie guard O.J. Mayo.
There was widespread concern in the organization about Miles' off-the-court influence on Mayo near the end of the season. -- Memphis Commercial Appeal
GM Feels No Pressure To Hire Jordan
Ed Stefanski does not have a short timeline, nor will the 76ers' general manager feel pressure to offer the team's coaching job to Eddie Jordan, according to a source close to the search.
Jordan, 54, is scheduled to meet with Stefanski today to discuss the coaching candidate's on-court vision for the Sixers; it will be the first official interview Stefanski has conducted since Tony DiLeo withdrew his name from consideration to continue in the job.
Yesterday, Avery Johnson's agent said his client had not heard from Stefanski, nor had they contacted the team. -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
•Why has it been so hard to find a coach with staying power?
Ed Snider: "I think during the Allen Iverson era it was difficult for certain coaches to handle the situation, and it took special handling. As far as since then, Mo [Maurice Cheeks] was around for a few years, but it's hard to find really outstanding pro coaches. Teams that have an outstanding coach keep them." -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Brown Won't Rush Decision
Kwame Brown | Pistons
Kwame Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Thursday that Brown will take his time to decide whether to exercise his $4.1-million player option or hit the open market when free agency begins July 1.
"We'll do it sometime in the next month and a half," Bartelstein said. "When the season's over I think it's good to get away for a while and clear your head before making a decision.
"The season was kind of a roller coaster for him, but we'll make a decision in the coming weeks."
"The economy affects everything and you have to be cognizant of what goes on in the world," Bartelstein said. "We'll evaluate everything, but the most important thing is for Kwame to grow as a player. "We'll weigh it all and come to a decision." -- Detroit Free Press
Curry Hopes He's A Knick
Maybe the Knicks didn't tell Stephen Curry they would pick him if they have the eighth pick in the NBA Draft, but it sounds as if he wishes they had.
"That would be a dream come true," Curry told ESPN 1050 yesterday when asked about the possibility of being drafted to New York.
"One, to play with an NBA jersey; two, to play at Madison Square Garden every night; three, to play in front of the greatest NBA fans -- I think it would be something I would look forward to and I would work very hard to help my team, if that was the case, to be better," he said. "I think, with my pointguard skills, I could add a lot to the New York Knicks."-- New York Post
Powe Gets Good News
Leon Powe | Celtics
Leon Powe got some positive news. His surgically repaired left knee wasn't as damaged as previously thought, said Powe's agent, Aaron Goodwin. Powe had surgery May 5. He is an unrestricted free agent.
"[The doctors] said there was less damage in there than they thought there was," Goodwin said. "Obviously, he still did the reconstruction. But we still feel good about it. We're looking at an All-Star break return." -- The Boston Globe
Kidd: I Have A Lot To Give
Jason Kidd | Mavericks
Based on that and the fact that the Mavs can pay Jason Kidd more than anybody else -- and have made it clear they really want him to return -- the odds are he'll be back in Dallas.
"I'm not looking at it as trying to win a championship, hitching on a bandwagon and jumping on with a team that's a favorite," Kidd said. "I'm looking to help a team try to win a championship. Whether it's here in Dallas or wherever it may be, I still feel that I have a lot to give to the game."
Kidd, who has no intention to sign a one-year deal, sees himself as a guy who can play at a high level for a few more seasons while teaching his evenutal replacement the NBA ropes. -- The Dallas Morning News
Nowitzki Wants To Remain In Dallas
Dirk Nowitzki | Mavericks
While Dirk Nowitzki noted that he could opt out of his max contract in 2010 and become a free agent, he said he hasn't considered the possibility.
"After I played here for 11 years, played hurt, played sick, whatever they needed me to do, basically playing my heart out for the last 11 years, I don't think it would feel the same way somewhere else," Nowitzki said. "It's always been my dream here to finish my career and win a championship. I think my window has not closed yet." -- The Dallas Morning News And of course, since "the bank of Cuban" is open it's quite possible Dirk could get some extra help -- in the form of Shaq, Chris Bosh, or another big.
Miles' Days In Memphis Are Over
Darius Miles | Grizzlies
Darius Miles is an unrestricted free agent. He played in 34 games for the Griz this season. Although the Griz haven't publicly stated their intentions, their plan was always to start next season without Miles.
The Griz grew weary of Miles' waning work ethic and his relationship with rookie guard O.J. Mayo.
There was widespread concern in the organization about Miles' off-the-court influence on Mayo near the end of the season. -- Memphis Commercial Appeal
GM Feels No Pressure To Hire Jordan
Ed Stefanski does not have a short timeline, nor will the 76ers' general manager feel pressure to offer the team's coaching job to Eddie Jordan, according to a source close to the search.
Jordan, 54, is scheduled to meet with Stefanski today to discuss the coaching candidate's on-court vision for the Sixers; it will be the first official interview Stefanski has conducted since Tony DiLeo withdrew his name from consideration to continue in the job.
Yesterday, Avery Johnson's agent said his client had not heard from Stefanski, nor had they contacted the team. -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
•Why has it been so hard to find a coach with staying power?
Ed Snider: "I think during the Allen Iverson era it was difficult for certain coaches to handle the situation, and it took special handling. As far as since then, Mo [Maurice Cheeks] was around for a few years, but it's hard to find really outstanding pro coaches. Teams that have an outstanding coach keep them." -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Brown Won't Rush Decision
Kwame Brown | Pistons
Kwame Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Thursday that Brown will take his time to decide whether to exercise his $4.1-million player option or hit the open market when free agency begins July 1.
"We'll do it sometime in the next month and a half," Bartelstein said. "When the season's over I think it's good to get away for a while and clear your head before making a decision.
"The season was kind of a roller coaster for him, but we'll make a decision in the coming weeks."
"The economy affects everything and you have to be cognizant of what goes on in the world," Bartelstein said. "We'll evaluate everything, but the most important thing is for Kwame to grow as a player. "We'll weigh it all and come to a decision." -- Detroit Free Press
Curry Hopes He's A Knick
Maybe the Knicks didn't tell Stephen Curry they would pick him if they have the eighth pick in the NBA Draft, but it sounds as if he wishes they had.
"That would be a dream come true," Curry told ESPN 1050 yesterday when asked about the possibility of being drafted to New York.
"One, to play with an NBA jersey; two, to play at Madison Square Garden every night; three, to play in front of the greatest NBA fans -- I think it would be something I would look forward to and I would work very hard to help my team, if that was the case, to be better," he said. "I think, with my pointguard skills, I could add a lot to the New York Knicks."-- New York Post
Powe Gets Good News
Leon Powe | Celtics
Leon Powe got some positive news. His surgically repaired left knee wasn't as damaged as previously thought, said Powe's agent, Aaron Goodwin. Powe had surgery May 5. He is an unrestricted free agent.
"[The doctors] said there was less damage in there than they thought there was," Goodwin said. "Obviously, he still did the reconstruction. But we still feel good about it. We're looking at an All-Star break return." -- The Boston Globe
Kidd: I Have A Lot To Give
Jason Kidd | Mavericks
Based on that and the fact that the Mavs can pay Jason Kidd more than anybody else -- and have made it clear they really want him to return -- the odds are he'll be back in Dallas.
"I'm not looking at it as trying to win a championship, hitching on a bandwagon and jumping on with a team that's a favorite," Kidd said. "I'm looking to help a team try to win a championship. Whether it's here in Dallas or wherever it may be, I still feel that I have a lot to give to the game."
Kidd, who has no intention to sign a one-year deal, sees himself as a guy who can play at a high level for a few more seasons while teaching his evenutal replacement the NBA ropes. -- The Dallas Morning News
Lee
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So, Powe is out until all-star break...anyone want to sign him to a discounted contract since he will be coming off of an injury?
Kwame Brown, anyone want him? Not many 7 footers with his athletic abilty out there, even if he most likely will be nothing more than a career back up at this point.
Kidd...bad news on him, i am starting to believe he wont be leaving dallas this year.
Kwame Brown, anyone want him? Not many 7 footers with his athletic abilty out there, even if he most likely will be nothing more than a career back up at this point.
Kidd...bad news on him, i am starting to believe he wont be leaving dallas this year.
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I love Powe's game, but everyone will get all snippy if we take on another undersized forward.
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That is what I am thinking, no need for him unless we inlude hixon in a block buster trade.
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I'm guessing Curry was just playing the audience because he was on the New York affiliate. I bet Stephen A is somewhere equating Curry's comments to Lebron wanting to go to New York because he's shown up to Curry's games before
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Now that rumors are starting tp swirl again I thought I would begin posting this
Tuesday, June 9
Boozer still undecided
Carlos Boozer | Jazz
Carlos Boozer has until the end of this month to decide if he'll play out the last year of his current deal in Utah at $12,657,233. or if he'll enter the NBA summer shopping market as an unrestricted free agent.
"I want to make the best decision we can, obviously," Boozer, on set in Los Angeles, said to Jim Rome. "Do my homework, do my due diligence and on June 30th I'll decide either to opt in or opt out."
Asked Monday on TV if he likes it in Salt Lake City and if that's where he wants to be, Boozer reiterated much of what he said at the Jazz's locker cleanout session the day after a first-round playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Yeah," he said. "I mean, obviously, I put the ball in their court. You know, I told them I wanted to be there -- and we'll see how they respond, and how they approach me." -- Deseret News
Knicks to trade for Rodriguez?
Sergio Rodriguez | Trail Blazers
What we have is this story from Eurosport Yahoo! that says, loosely translated, the Knicks already have a deal in place to acquire guard Sergio Rodriguez from the Trail Blazers on draft night.
After a few calls we can say this report is inaccurate. There has been interest in Rodriguez throughout the season, but as far as there being a deal in place? No.
Is Rodriguez available? Yes. Are the Knicks interested? Depends. -- Newsday
Memphis Grizzlies: Griz expect to be part of Rubio tour
If Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio indeed comes to the America and visits NBA teams before the draft, the Grizzlies expect to be part of the tour.
The 18-year-old's plans are still foreign to Griz general manager Chris Wallace, but several media outlets say Rubio and his family are scheduled to board a flight June 13 bound for the United States.
"I don't have anything set up. But it's open-ended. If he's in the country, we definitely want him here," said Wallace, who is seriously considering selecting Rubio with the Grizzlies' lottery pick in the June 25 draft.
Wallace isn't putting stock in speculation about a Rubio visit to the U.S. -- he'll await definitive word from the player's representatives.
"All of that remains to be seen," Wallace said. "Nothing is set right now." -- Memphis
Commercial-Appeal
Sacramento Kings
Coaching search should end soon
Geoff Petrie said a decision between Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, former Phoenix and Seattle head coach Paul Westphal and Boston associate head coach Tom Thibodeau would come "sooner rather than later."
Sources with knowledge of the situation said the team's hypothetical offer that Westphal already agreed to would apply to Rambis as well: two seasons guaranteed at $1.5 million with a third-year team option worth $1.75 million. Incentives were likely in both cases to increase the salary based on the team's improvement, but it remains unclear whether Rambis, who is believed to be the front-runner, will accept those terms. It is not known whether those terms have been discussed with Thibodeau.
Petrie said it was "unlikely" any additional candidates would be considered and that second interviews were "possible, but not something that's being discussed right now." -- Sacramento Bee
Decision on McHale coming this week
Kevin McHale | Timberwolves
Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and Kevin McHale on Monday met at length for a third time to discuss the team's coaching job, and a decision about McHale's future with the franchise is likely to be made sometime this week.
If McHale does not return to coach with a multi-year contract, Kahn is expected to begin a search, although he has said it is not imperative he have a coach in place by the June 25 draft. -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
Uncertain time for Sessions
Ramon Sessions | Bucks
Ramon Sessions said his first choice is to stay with the Bucks. However, that might not become a reality with Milwaukee up against the luxury tax with two sought-after restricted free agents in Sessions and forward Charlie Villanueva.
Sessions said there is some unease with his future home up in the air, but feels like he's positioned himself well with his play last season.
"There's definitely uncertainty," Sessions said. "I feel like as a player, I did the best that I could do out there. Now it comes down to the negotiations. But it's a great feeling to know that you're in a situation that maybe a team is going to pay you this much, maybe a team is going to pay you that much. It just shows how hard work pays off." -- Reno Gazette-Journal
New Orleans Hornets
Will Pargo return to the Big Easy?
The summation here is Jannero Pargo wants back with New Orleans as much as New Orleans wants him back.
"I'm just going to take it one day at a time and try to do what's best for me and my family," Pargo said. "If the situation is best for me to come back here (to the NBA), then I will.
"It was a wonderful experience. I got to go a lot of places, see a lot of different things. But I grew up dreaming of playing in the NBA. I definitely would love to get back in the NBA and continue my career." -- The Times-Picayune
Will Jazz keep Fesenko?
Kyrylo Fesenko | Jazz
Next Monday the Jazz will arrive at the June 15 deadline to exercise an $870,000 option to bring back Kyrylo Fesenko for next season. As of Friday, they had made no decision, and Fesenko's agent, Stu Lash, said he's in no hurry to hear one way or another.
Should they not bring back Fesenko, the Jazz run the risk of watching him blossom elsewhere. He is highly likely to sign with Sacramento, where his former agent, Jason Levien, is now the Kings assistant general manager, if he is cut loose in Utah.
Oklahoma City, where former Jazz director of player personnel Troy Weaver now is assistant general manager, also is a possibility. As bad as the economy is, there is expected to be a market for Fesenko making $1 million or so a season. -- The Salt Lake Tribune
New Orleans Hornets
Not a mutual parting
The decision by the Hornets to part ways with lead assistant coach Kenny Gattison was anything but mutual, Gattison said Monday as he continued to search for another job.
"This was not a mutual parting," Gattison said via telephone. "In this economy, who would mutually agree to give up their job? Even though technically I only had a little over a month to go on my contract with the Hornets, given my years of service and contributions to the organization, I think some consideration should have been made toward my coaching career and my family.
"If it's something that they felt it was best to change, we played our last game over a month ago. The timing of it puts me in a very bad spot as far as going out and seeking employment."
"This happening 2 1/2 weeks before the draft, a lot of the coaching changes, whether in college or the NBA, have already occurred," Gattison said. "I went from thinking that another year would be added to my contract to being without a job.
"I've had to get on the phone and call just about everybody in the league to see if there was an opening or any movement on the staff. Consistently what I've been told is, 'If we'd have known this three weeks ago, we'd have loved to have you here, or loved to have you on our staff.' It's a bad time to be looking for a job if you're a coach on any level." -- The Times-Picayune
Monday, June 8
Manu predicts complete recovery
Manu Ginobili | Spurs
In his first interview since April 5, the day before a stress fracture in his right distal fibula put a premature end to the most tumultuous season of his career, Manu Ginobili said Sunday that he expects to be fully recovered by the opening of training camp in October.
"For the past month or so, I haven't felt any pain, even to the touch," Ginobili said. "I don't have any doubt I'll be 100 percent before training camp starts."
Ginobili, who will turn 32 next month, is entering the final year of a contract scheduled to pay him close to $16.1 million next season.
The Spurs had begun preliminary talks about a contract extension last summer before Ginobili left for China. Those negotiations were shelved when Ginobili reinjured his left ankle at the Olympics, and they have yet to resume.
"They want to see that I am healthy," Ginobili said. -- San Antonio Express-News
GM confident Rockets will keep Yao
Yao Ming | Rockets
An Asian conglomerate headed by Chinese entrepreneur Kenny Huang, has bought a share of the Cavs. It has fueled unfounded speculation that they are going to sign Yao Ming.
"I don't even give any of that a thought," Rockets GM Daryl Morey said. "Yao isn't eligible to sign a contract extension until next summer, and at that time I know that we'll get it done. Yao's happy here, and needless to say, we're very happy with him." -- The News-Herald
Amare rumors are pure conjecture
Amare Stoudemire | Suns
There has been plenty of trade speculation and rumors involving Amare Stoudemire lately. But unlike the week of the February trade deadline, none of this talk actually has involved the Suns.
Reports that the Suns have been engaged in trade talks that would send Stoudemire to Boston or Washington are conjecture. They also probably are not the last of trade rumors for Phoenix, which is just as apt to move Shaquille O'Neal or Jason Richardson.
"There's a lot of stuff flying around out there that has no basis," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. "There's just a ton of speculation but there really is nothing substantial going on.
"With most of these deals being speculated about, I haven't even had a conversation with the opposing team. I read this stuff and laugh." -- The Arizona Republic
Gortat on Knicks' radar
Marcin Gortat | Magic
Though the Knicks likely will take a combo-type guard in the June 25 NBA draft, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh will eye a center with his $5 million mid-level exception during free agency, and Orlando's 7-foot backup Marcin Gortat is very high on his list, The Post has learned.
Magic GM Otis Smith can match any offer but said he knows it will be a financial challenge to retain Gortat.
"He's got the best job in America, playing behind my best player, playing 8 to 10 minutes," Smith said. "He goes out and does his job and probably has the best work ethic of anyone in the locker room. Can he start for another team? Yeah, he can.
"I'll just deal with it, and the market will dictate where he goes," Smith added. "I would like to keep him on our team, but it depends if someone wants to make him a starter and figures out what's my breaking point. I'm sure teams will make a run for him."
"I love New York, I can tell you that," Gortat said. "It was the first city I landed when I landed in the States five years ago. I love coach Mike D'Antoni and I know Danilo Gallinari from Europe." -- New York Post
Agent won't allow Ben to walk away
Ben Wallace | Cavaliers
One source said there's no way agent Arn Tellem will allow Cavs forward/center Ben Wallace to walk away from $14 million.
After losing to Orlando, Wallace said he may retire. -- The News-Herald
Tuesday, June 9
Boozer still undecided
Carlos Boozer | Jazz
Carlos Boozer has until the end of this month to decide if he'll play out the last year of his current deal in Utah at $12,657,233. or if he'll enter the NBA summer shopping market as an unrestricted free agent.
"I want to make the best decision we can, obviously," Boozer, on set in Los Angeles, said to Jim Rome. "Do my homework, do my due diligence and on June 30th I'll decide either to opt in or opt out."
Asked Monday on TV if he likes it in Salt Lake City and if that's where he wants to be, Boozer reiterated much of what he said at the Jazz's locker cleanout session the day after a first-round playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Yeah," he said. "I mean, obviously, I put the ball in their court. You know, I told them I wanted to be there -- and we'll see how they respond, and how they approach me." -- Deseret News
Knicks to trade for Rodriguez?
Sergio Rodriguez | Trail Blazers
What we have is this story from Eurosport Yahoo! that says, loosely translated, the Knicks already have a deal in place to acquire guard Sergio Rodriguez from the Trail Blazers on draft night.
After a few calls we can say this report is inaccurate. There has been interest in Rodriguez throughout the season, but as far as there being a deal in place? No.
Is Rodriguez available? Yes. Are the Knicks interested? Depends. -- Newsday
Memphis Grizzlies: Griz expect to be part of Rubio tour
If Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio indeed comes to the America and visits NBA teams before the draft, the Grizzlies expect to be part of the tour.
The 18-year-old's plans are still foreign to Griz general manager Chris Wallace, but several media outlets say Rubio and his family are scheduled to board a flight June 13 bound for the United States.
"I don't have anything set up. But it's open-ended. If he's in the country, we definitely want him here," said Wallace, who is seriously considering selecting Rubio with the Grizzlies' lottery pick in the June 25 draft.
Wallace isn't putting stock in speculation about a Rubio visit to the U.S. -- he'll await definitive word from the player's representatives.
"All of that remains to be seen," Wallace said. "Nothing is set right now." -- Memphis
Commercial-Appeal
Sacramento Kings
Coaching search should end soon
Geoff Petrie said a decision between Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, former Phoenix and Seattle head coach Paul Westphal and Boston associate head coach Tom Thibodeau would come "sooner rather than later."
Sources with knowledge of the situation said the team's hypothetical offer that Westphal already agreed to would apply to Rambis as well: two seasons guaranteed at $1.5 million with a third-year team option worth $1.75 million. Incentives were likely in both cases to increase the salary based on the team's improvement, but it remains unclear whether Rambis, who is believed to be the front-runner, will accept those terms. It is not known whether those terms have been discussed with Thibodeau.
Petrie said it was "unlikely" any additional candidates would be considered and that second interviews were "possible, but not something that's being discussed right now." -- Sacramento Bee
Decision on McHale coming this week
Kevin McHale | Timberwolves
Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and Kevin McHale on Monday met at length for a third time to discuss the team's coaching job, and a decision about McHale's future with the franchise is likely to be made sometime this week.
If McHale does not return to coach with a multi-year contract, Kahn is expected to begin a search, although he has said it is not imperative he have a coach in place by the June 25 draft. -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
Uncertain time for Sessions
Ramon Sessions | Bucks
Ramon Sessions said his first choice is to stay with the Bucks. However, that might not become a reality with Milwaukee up against the luxury tax with two sought-after restricted free agents in Sessions and forward Charlie Villanueva.
Sessions said there is some unease with his future home up in the air, but feels like he's positioned himself well with his play last season.
"There's definitely uncertainty," Sessions said. "I feel like as a player, I did the best that I could do out there. Now it comes down to the negotiations. But it's a great feeling to know that you're in a situation that maybe a team is going to pay you this much, maybe a team is going to pay you that much. It just shows how hard work pays off." -- Reno Gazette-Journal
New Orleans Hornets
Will Pargo return to the Big Easy?
The summation here is Jannero Pargo wants back with New Orleans as much as New Orleans wants him back.
"I'm just going to take it one day at a time and try to do what's best for me and my family," Pargo said. "If the situation is best for me to come back here (to the NBA), then I will.
"It was a wonderful experience. I got to go a lot of places, see a lot of different things. But I grew up dreaming of playing in the NBA. I definitely would love to get back in the NBA and continue my career." -- The Times-Picayune
Will Jazz keep Fesenko?
Kyrylo Fesenko | Jazz
Next Monday the Jazz will arrive at the June 15 deadline to exercise an $870,000 option to bring back Kyrylo Fesenko for next season. As of Friday, they had made no decision, and Fesenko's agent, Stu Lash, said he's in no hurry to hear one way or another.
Should they not bring back Fesenko, the Jazz run the risk of watching him blossom elsewhere. He is highly likely to sign with Sacramento, where his former agent, Jason Levien, is now the Kings assistant general manager, if he is cut loose in Utah.
Oklahoma City, where former Jazz director of player personnel Troy Weaver now is assistant general manager, also is a possibility. As bad as the economy is, there is expected to be a market for Fesenko making $1 million or so a season. -- The Salt Lake Tribune
New Orleans Hornets
Not a mutual parting
The decision by the Hornets to part ways with lead assistant coach Kenny Gattison was anything but mutual, Gattison said Monday as he continued to search for another job.
"This was not a mutual parting," Gattison said via telephone. "In this economy, who would mutually agree to give up their job? Even though technically I only had a little over a month to go on my contract with the Hornets, given my years of service and contributions to the organization, I think some consideration should have been made toward my coaching career and my family.
"If it's something that they felt it was best to change, we played our last game over a month ago. The timing of it puts me in a very bad spot as far as going out and seeking employment."
"This happening 2 1/2 weeks before the draft, a lot of the coaching changes, whether in college or the NBA, have already occurred," Gattison said. "I went from thinking that another year would be added to my contract to being without a job.
"I've had to get on the phone and call just about everybody in the league to see if there was an opening or any movement on the staff. Consistently what I've been told is, 'If we'd have known this three weeks ago, we'd have loved to have you here, or loved to have you on our staff.' It's a bad time to be looking for a job if you're a coach on any level." -- The Times-Picayune
Monday, June 8
Manu predicts complete recovery
Manu Ginobili | Spurs
In his first interview since April 5, the day before a stress fracture in his right distal fibula put a premature end to the most tumultuous season of his career, Manu Ginobili said Sunday that he expects to be fully recovered by the opening of training camp in October.
"For the past month or so, I haven't felt any pain, even to the touch," Ginobili said. "I don't have any doubt I'll be 100 percent before training camp starts."
Ginobili, who will turn 32 next month, is entering the final year of a contract scheduled to pay him close to $16.1 million next season.
The Spurs had begun preliminary talks about a contract extension last summer before Ginobili left for China. Those negotiations were shelved when Ginobili reinjured his left ankle at the Olympics, and they have yet to resume.
"They want to see that I am healthy," Ginobili said. -- San Antonio Express-News
GM confident Rockets will keep Yao
Yao Ming | Rockets
An Asian conglomerate headed by Chinese entrepreneur Kenny Huang, has bought a share of the Cavs. It has fueled unfounded speculation that they are going to sign Yao Ming.
"I don't even give any of that a thought," Rockets GM Daryl Morey said. "Yao isn't eligible to sign a contract extension until next summer, and at that time I know that we'll get it done. Yao's happy here, and needless to say, we're very happy with him." -- The News-Herald
Amare rumors are pure conjecture
Amare Stoudemire | Suns
There has been plenty of trade speculation and rumors involving Amare Stoudemire lately. But unlike the week of the February trade deadline, none of this talk actually has involved the Suns.
Reports that the Suns have been engaged in trade talks that would send Stoudemire to Boston or Washington are conjecture. They also probably are not the last of trade rumors for Phoenix, which is just as apt to move Shaquille O'Neal or Jason Richardson.
"There's a lot of stuff flying around out there that has no basis," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. "There's just a ton of speculation but there really is nothing substantial going on.
"With most of these deals being speculated about, I haven't even had a conversation with the opposing team. I read this stuff and laugh." -- The Arizona Republic
Gortat on Knicks' radar
Marcin Gortat | Magic
Though the Knicks likely will take a combo-type guard in the June 25 NBA draft, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh will eye a center with his $5 million mid-level exception during free agency, and Orlando's 7-foot backup Marcin Gortat is very high on his list, The Post has learned.
Magic GM Otis Smith can match any offer but said he knows it will be a financial challenge to retain Gortat.
"He's got the best job in America, playing behind my best player, playing 8 to 10 minutes," Smith said. "He goes out and does his job and probably has the best work ethic of anyone in the locker room. Can he start for another team? Yeah, he can.
"I'll just deal with it, and the market will dictate where he goes," Smith added. "I would like to keep him on our team, but it depends if someone wants to make him a starter and figures out what's my breaking point. I'm sure teams will make a run for him."
"I love New York, I can tell you that," Gortat said. "It was the first city I landed when I landed in the States five years ago. I love coach Mike D'Antoni and I know Danilo Gallinari from Europe." -- New York Post
Agent won't allow Ben to walk away
Ben Wallace | Cavaliers
One source said there's no way agent Arn Tellem will allow Cavs forward/center Ben Wallace to walk away from $14 million.
After losing to Orlando, Wallace said he may retire. -- The News-Herald
SanduskyCav
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Wednesday, June 10
Wallace rumor not true
Rasheed Wallace | Pistons
A report Monday said the Cavs have opened negotiations with Pistons free agent center Rasheed Wallace on a two-year contract at $10 million per season. This is impossible and illegal; the Cavs do not have salary cap space to sign any player to a $10 million contract and any talks cannot begin until July 1.
It is likely the Cavs will contact Wallace at that time, as he's probably going to be on their list of free agent targets. But he will not get a $10 million contract from the Cavs or likely any team in the NBA. -- The Plain Dealer
New York Knicks
Knicks long shot to get No. 2 pick
According to a report in Tuesday's Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the Knicks are among three teams that have contacted the Grizzlies about making a jump to the No. 2 overall pick.
The Knicks are a long shot to make such a deal with Memphis, however, because the best they can do is dangle Cuttino Mobley's contract as an incentive for the cash-strapped franchise. The Knicks could take back a contract from the Grizzlies for Mobley's deal, of which 80 percent is covered because he retired with a heart condition.
A person with knowledge of the situation said the Knicks understand they likely would be a third or fourth option for the Grizzlies, who, according to the report, are also receiving interest from the Celtics and Rockets.
The Knicks may be keeping a close watch on the situation surrounding the No. 2 pick because of Ricky Rubio, who will be in the United States this weekend to conduct workouts. But the Knicks also might have an interest in 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet from UConn. -- Newsday
Washington Wizards
Mavs eye pick No. 5?
The Mavericks are said to be interested in the fifth pick and the prospect of drafting Jordan Hill.
The teams have made nice in the past, most recently in the swap that secured Antawn Jamison in 2004. The Mavericks also were kind enough to relieve the Wizards of Juwan Howard in 2001.
The Mavericks apparently are willing to part with either Jason Terry or Josh Howard to sweeten a potential deal. The Mavericks would be obligated to accept an expiring contract of the Wizards, the one belonging to either the Etan Thomas or Mike James. -- The Washington Times
Atlanta Hawks
Will Childress return?
Three different sources I've spoken to in recent days insist that they don't expect Josh Childress to return to the NBA this summer (he has until July 15 to opt out of his Greek contract or remain there for another season). The dynamics of his situation in the NBA haven't changed from last summer. He's still a restricted free agent and would be subject to dealing with a Hawks organization that couldn't get a deal done with him last summer.
"I don't know why he would come back," a Western Conference scout said. "There's so much uncertainty in the league this summer. Teams are holding back because of the economy and plotting for the summer of 2010. Plus, he's still bound by restricted free agency, which means he can't really come back and shop around for the best situation. If the Hawks didn't get a deal done with him last summer I don't see any way they get one done now. No way." -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Minnesota Timberwolves
A former coach will assist McHale
If Kevin McHale remains the Timberwolves' coach, which now seems likely, he'll be required to hire a former NBA head coach as his top assistant for in-depth help. The Wolves will provide McHale with a list of candidates from whom to choose. -- The Pioneer Press
Utah Jazz
GM mum on potential free agents
Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor had no comment Tuesday when asked for reaction to statements made Monday by power forward Carlos Boozer, who must decide by the end of this month whether or not he'll opt out of the final year of his current contract in Utah.
While O'Connor would not specifically address the Boozer matter, he did suggest he still anticipates opt-out decisions by the team's starting power forward, starting center Mehmet Okur and backup shooting guard Kyle Korver would not be made until sometime much closer to the June 30 deadline for doing so.
"Here," said O'Connor, "is what I would expect: They have to make a decision on whether they want to opt out of contacts that are guaranteed for next year, and when they do we'll react." -- Deseret News
Cleveland Cavaliers
Bourousis too expensive for Cavs
A Greek Web site has linked the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs to Ioannis Bourousis, a 6-foot-11 center who is a star of Euroleague power Olympiakos.
Bourousis, who was named to the Euroleague First Team, is a free agent and is fielding some interest from NBA teams. But according to a source, Olympiakos is prepared to make him an offer of around $2 million Euros tax free and that is more than any NBA team, including the Cavs, would probably be willing to offer. -- The Plain Dealer
New Orleans Hornets
Hornets may hire Pack or Livingston
Hornets Coach Byron Scott is considering New Orleans natives Randy Livingston and Robert Pack for one of the two vacant spots on his coaching staff.
Scott is considering Livingston and Pack for a fourth assistant spot on his staff that went unfilled last season after Darrell Walker accepted an assistant's job with the Detroit Pistons.
"They are just two guys that I know and like," Scott said. "But there will be some other guys that I'll talk to, as well. I coached Pack in New Jersey, and I've known Randy for a long time. I know that both of them are from here. Both are trying to get their foot in the door and get into the league.
"I love giving young guys an opportunity, but I want them to come in here with the right attitude, obviously, and understand what I need them to do. I love guys because of their enthusiasm and the eagerness to learn, so I'm trying to stick to that." -- The Times-Picayune
Wallace rumor not true
Rasheed Wallace | Pistons
A report Monday said the Cavs have opened negotiations with Pistons free agent center Rasheed Wallace on a two-year contract at $10 million per season. This is impossible and illegal; the Cavs do not have salary cap space to sign any player to a $10 million contract and any talks cannot begin until July 1.
It is likely the Cavs will contact Wallace at that time, as he's probably going to be on their list of free agent targets. But he will not get a $10 million contract from the Cavs or likely any team in the NBA. -- The Plain Dealer
New York Knicks
Knicks long shot to get No. 2 pick
According to a report in Tuesday's Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the Knicks are among three teams that have contacted the Grizzlies about making a jump to the No. 2 overall pick.
The Knicks are a long shot to make such a deal with Memphis, however, because the best they can do is dangle Cuttino Mobley's contract as an incentive for the cash-strapped franchise. The Knicks could take back a contract from the Grizzlies for Mobley's deal, of which 80 percent is covered because he retired with a heart condition.
A person with knowledge of the situation said the Knicks understand they likely would be a third or fourth option for the Grizzlies, who, according to the report, are also receiving interest from the Celtics and Rockets.
The Knicks may be keeping a close watch on the situation surrounding the No. 2 pick because of Ricky Rubio, who will be in the United States this weekend to conduct workouts. But the Knicks also might have an interest in 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet from UConn. -- Newsday
Washington Wizards
Mavs eye pick No. 5?
The Mavericks are said to be interested in the fifth pick and the prospect of drafting Jordan Hill.
The teams have made nice in the past, most recently in the swap that secured Antawn Jamison in 2004. The Mavericks also were kind enough to relieve the Wizards of Juwan Howard in 2001.
The Mavericks apparently are willing to part with either Jason Terry or Josh Howard to sweeten a potential deal. The Mavericks would be obligated to accept an expiring contract of the Wizards, the one belonging to either the Etan Thomas or Mike James. -- The Washington Times
Atlanta Hawks
Will Childress return?
Three different sources I've spoken to in recent days insist that they don't expect Josh Childress to return to the NBA this summer (he has until July 15 to opt out of his Greek contract or remain there for another season). The dynamics of his situation in the NBA haven't changed from last summer. He's still a restricted free agent and would be subject to dealing with a Hawks organization that couldn't get a deal done with him last summer.
"I don't know why he would come back," a Western Conference scout said. "There's so much uncertainty in the league this summer. Teams are holding back because of the economy and plotting for the summer of 2010. Plus, he's still bound by restricted free agency, which means he can't really come back and shop around for the best situation. If the Hawks didn't get a deal done with him last summer I don't see any way they get one done now. No way." -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Minnesota Timberwolves
A former coach will assist McHale
If Kevin McHale remains the Timberwolves' coach, which now seems likely, he'll be required to hire a former NBA head coach as his top assistant for in-depth help. The Wolves will provide McHale with a list of candidates from whom to choose. -- The Pioneer Press
Utah Jazz
GM mum on potential free agents
Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor had no comment Tuesday when asked for reaction to statements made Monday by power forward Carlos Boozer, who must decide by the end of this month whether or not he'll opt out of the final year of his current contract in Utah.
While O'Connor would not specifically address the Boozer matter, he did suggest he still anticipates opt-out decisions by the team's starting power forward, starting center Mehmet Okur and backup shooting guard Kyle Korver would not be made until sometime much closer to the June 30 deadline for doing so.
"Here," said O'Connor, "is what I would expect: They have to make a decision on whether they want to opt out of contacts that are guaranteed for next year, and when they do we'll react." -- Deseret News
Cleveland Cavaliers
Bourousis too expensive for Cavs
A Greek Web site has linked the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs to Ioannis Bourousis, a 6-foot-11 center who is a star of Euroleague power Olympiakos.
Bourousis, who was named to the Euroleague First Team, is a free agent and is fielding some interest from NBA teams. But according to a source, Olympiakos is prepared to make him an offer of around $2 million Euros tax free and that is more than any NBA team, including the Cavs, would probably be willing to offer. -- The Plain Dealer
New Orleans Hornets
Hornets may hire Pack or Livingston
Hornets Coach Byron Scott is considering New Orleans natives Randy Livingston and Robert Pack for one of the two vacant spots on his coaching staff.
Scott is considering Livingston and Pack for a fourth assistant spot on his staff that went unfilled last season after Darrell Walker accepted an assistant's job with the Detroit Pistons.
"They are just two guys that I know and like," Scott said. "But there will be some other guys that I'll talk to, as well. I coached Pack in New Jersey, and I've known Randy for a long time. I know that both of them are from here. Both are trying to get their foot in the door and get into the league.
"I love giving young guys an opportunity, but I want them to come in here with the right attitude, obviously, and understand what I need them to do. I love guys because of their enthusiasm and the eagerness to learn, so I'm trying to stick to that." -- The Times-Picayune