The AP (Tim Reynolds) reports on Dwyane Wade: The reigning NBA scoring champion, who can opt out of his Heat contract after the 2009-10 season, said Monday that simply getting to the playoffs “is not enough” to satisfy him anymore, and that his long-term commitment to Miami hinges entirely on the franchise getting back into the mix for the title trophy he hoisted just three years ago. “I’m going to listen. I owe the Miami Heat that much. I’m going to listen to what they have to say and I’m going to think about it,” Wade told The Associated Press. “But right now, the way I feel, I want to make sure that we’re on track to where I want us to be on track to before I sign back.” Wade made clear that he would like to stay with the Heat, reiterating something he’s said countless times in recent months.
Month: July 2009
Nets sign first round draft pick Terrence Williams
 |
The New Jersey Nets have signed their first round selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Terrence Williams, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.
This is basically just a formality, as first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract.
Williams, selected by the Nets in the first round with the 11th overall pick, earned Third Team All-America and First Team All-Big East honors after averaging 12.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 5.0 apg last season. Williams helped lead Louisville to their first Big East regular season and tournament titles while claiming the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The senior guard/forward was the only player in Louisville history to tally 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals. He finished his career ranked 18th in school history with 1,564 points, second in assists (541), seventh in rebounding (966), fourth in three-point field goals made (195), fifth in steals (210) and second in minutes played (4,486).
San Antonio Spurs sign Marcus Haislip
The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they signed forward Marcus Haislip. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Haislip, 6-10, 230 lbs., has spent the past two seasons playing in Spain with the Unicaja Malaga in the Spanish ACB League and in Euroleague competition. Last year he appeared in 35 games in Spanish League play, averaging a team-high 15.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes. He shot .555 (117-211) from the field and .394 (65-165) from three-point range. In 14 Euroleague games, he averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27.5 minutes. In 2007 Haislip helped lead Efes Pilsen Istanbul to the Turkish National Championship.
Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 13th overall pick in 2002 NBA Draft, Haislip spent three seasons in the NBA before making the move overseas. He played two seasons with the Bucks before singing with the Indiana Pacers for the 2004-05 season. For his NBA career Haislip has appeared in 79 games, averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 assists in 10.3 minutes.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Haislip disappeared as fast as any lottery pick selected in the 2000’s. What was interesting was how he fell out of the league and simply didn’t return, until now, assuming this signing happens.
Jason Kidd to re-sign with Dallas Mavericks
 |
Free agent point guard Jason Kidd will re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to several ESPN reporters.
The deal will reportedly be for three years and in the neighborhood of $25 million.
The NBA’s free agent negotiation period began Wednesday, July 1. Players can sign contracts beginning Wednesday, July 8.
Kidd, who turned 36 in March, averaged just 9.0 points per game last season, the lowest of his entire NBA career. He shot 41.6%, slightly above his career average. Kidd has been shooting very well from three-point range in the two seasons he’s been on the Mavericks.
Last season he also averaged 6.2 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.
Kidd has shown his age in the past year or two, especially on the defensive end, and should continue to slow down next season. It’s surprising to me that the Mavericks will keep him for three years. I thought if they were going to re-sign him it would be for perhaps one year, two at the most.
Former Maverick Devin Harris, traded to the Nets for Kidd, has done very well in New Jersey, though the Nets offense really centered almost entirely around the young, scoring point guard, so his stats were slightly inflated. But still, while Harris looks like he will flirt with making the NBA All-Star team for years to come, Kidd’s career is wrapping up.
Mike Bibby reaches out to 76ers
The Philadelphia Daily News (Phil Jasner) reports (via blog): The 76ers received an inquiry from the agent for Atlanta Hawks free agent guard Mike Bibby, but a source familiar with the situation said the conversation ”didn’t go anywhere.” The theory seemed to be that the agent waqs doing his due diligence, checking the market for his client. Bibby was listed on the Hawks’ salary cap last season at more than $14.98 million, but is more likely to play the coming season for something in the range of the $5.6 million mid-level exception.
InsideHoops.com editor says: I haven’t heard much about Bibby and the Hawks in free agency yet. It doesn’t sound like Atlanta plan on making any dramatic changes.
Phil Jackson probably returning for Lakers
ESPN.com reports: The Los Angeles Lakers’ commitment to sign the mercurial Ron Artest would appear to make retaining Phil Jackson even more imperative than the team believed when the NBA’s free-agent period began. It shouldn’t be a topic of discussion much longer. Jackson’s presence on the bench next season, according to one NBA coaching source, is “99.9 percent” assured, with another source indicating that Jackson’s return will be publicly confirmed by the Lakers by early next week at the latest.
Ron Artest signs with Lakers
 |
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Ron Artest, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
Artest, a 6’7” 260-pound forward out of St. John’s University, has averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.06 steals in 604 career games (562 starts) during his 10 NBA seasons with Chicago, Indiana, Sacramento and Houston. Originally selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, Artest is one of only three players in NBA history to post career averages of 16+ points, 5+ rebounds, 3+ assists and 2+ steals (Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler).
The 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Artest has been named NBA All-Defensive First Team twice (2004, 2006) and Second Team twice (2003, 2009). A member of the 2004 Eastern Conference All-Star team, Artest also earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2004 and has finished among the top three league leaders in steals five of the last eight seasons while leading his team in steals in nine of his 10 NBA seasons overall.
In 2008-09, Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.52 steals in 69 games (55 starts) with Houston while setting single-season career-highs in 3-point field goals made and attempted (.399, 153-383 3FG) and leading the Rockets in steals (105).
————–
INITIAL RON ARTEST LAKERS SIGNING UPDATE
By Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com
Houston Rockets free agent forward Ron Artest is going to sign with the 2008-09 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
The negotiation period for NBA free agents began July 1. Actual signings can take place starting July 8.
According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the deal may be for three years and around $18 million.
As the Lakers add Artest it appears they will be losing energy hustle guy Trevor Ariza, who is reportedly going to sign with the Houston Rockets.
The addition of Artest to the current NBA champions is interesting. He helps in some ways, but doesn’t in others. He won’t replace the hectic, frantic, fill-in-the-blanks, complimentary, fast break style of Ariza, but is a better halfcourt defender. Artest is also much stronger than Ariza and can easily play power forward for long stretches.
Overall, Ron is definitely better than Trevor.
I question how well Artest will fit into the triangle offense of the Lakers, however. He can do it, but it’s not the most natural fit.
Ariza last season averaged just 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 46% but just 31.9% from three-point range. Though, in the playoffs he suddenly became an assassin from outside, nailing 47.6% of his threes.
Artest last season for the Rockets put up 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, though he shot an awful 40.1%. He was nice from three-point range, though, hitting 39.9%.
Overall, adding Artest while losing Ariza is an upgrade for the Lakers, though I’ll still keep my eye on how well Artest fits in with their offense.
And, key Lakers forward Lamar Odom is currently a free agent. The team needs to keep Odom, and a source says the team feels they’ll be able to re-sign him.
Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
Shaq sells Miami house
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sarah Talalay) reports: Former Heat center Shaquille O’Neal finally unloaded his Star Island home on Wednesday, a day before he was traded from Phoenix to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Philip Freedman, a broker with Flagstone Realty, said the deal to sell the 2.5 acre property at 26 Star Island Drive closed Wednesday. The home sold for $16 million, far below the $18.8 million O’Neal paid for the mansion in 2004 and the $32 million he was seeking for the home in 2005. He was reportedly asking $22.5 million, but couldn’t get nearly that much in this economic climate.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Shaq sold his home for a bit less than I recent spent on one of my new summer houses.
Allen Iverson likes Grizzlies
 |
The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Several NBA sources have confirmed to me that controversial and wildly popular guard Allen Iverson – through representatives – has made the Grizzlies aware that he would like to play in Memphis. The veteran, prolific scorer is a free agent for the first time in his professional career. While no deal is imminent and conversations have been only cursory, Griz brass are said to be internally weighing the pros and cons of possibly adding Iverson to the team’s youth movement. Iverson would certainly have to take a major pay cut from the $21 million he earned last season with Detroit. The Griz would only entertain Iverson with what they’d deem a reasonable price, and if the 34-year-old agreed to play off the bench.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Adding Iverson would spark some team interest, ticket sales and maybe a few wins for the Grizzlies, but not really accomplish much more than that. It would probably wouldn’t help the development of the young players Memphis is actually building around. Adding Iverson would be a small temporary boost.
Ron Artest may be gone from Rockets
|
Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest is a free agent, and many teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, are interested in his services. The Cleveland Plain Dealer earlier Wednesday reported that the Cavs, with help from LeBron James, spoke to Artest about joining the team in the past day.
Artest on Twitter at around 10:05 p.m. ET Wednesday posted the following message: THANKS A LOT HOUSTON. :) I HAD A LOT OF FUN :)
This obviously suggests that Artest expects to sign with another NBA team.
UPDATE: Artest went on a Sacramento radio station late Wednesday night and said he’s basically just messing around on Twitter and not being serious. So, maybe he’s kidding with what he said above, maybe not.