Day: July 9, 2012

Ben Wallace might keep playing for Pistons

Big Ben will ride again for one more season.

A source close to the situation tells the Detroit News that “it’s a pretty good chance” Ben Wallace will return to the Pistons for another season.

Wallace, who will turn 38 in September, has been wanted back by the organization since the drafting of Andre Drummond.

“Me and Ben talk every other day,” Pistons President Joe Dumars said recently, while intimating he would give Wallace until the opening of training camp to make a decision.

— Reported by Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News

Pacers expected to keep Roy Hibbert

Pacers expected to keep Roy Hibbert

The starting five will return intact. Now the Indiana Pacers turn their attention to upgrading the bench.

The suspense surrounding Roy Hibbert’s future ended Monday when the Pacers decided they wouldn’t let the center get away to Portland, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Trail Blazers made a four-year, $58-million offer to Hibbert soon after the free agency period began July 1.

The Pacers aren’t technically matching Portland’s offer. Instead, they’re giving Hibbert the same four-year, $58-million deal to avoid going through the process of having him sign the Trail Blazers’ offer sheet, submitting it to the NBA and then having to match it.

— Reported by Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star

Miami Heat meet with Rashard Lewis

Miami Heat meet with Rashard Lewis

The Heat, meanwhile, continued to await a decision from Rashard Lewis, who met with team officials Sunday in Miami. Lewis also plans to meet with Atlanta (which could offer him more money) and potentially the Knicks before deciding.

“It went well,” agent Tony Dutt said of Lewis’ meeting with the Heat. “We’re talking to a couple more teams and will make a decision later in the week.”

Lewis is making $13.7 million in a buyout next season, which makes the Heat cautiously optimistic that he would be willing to take a deal for the $1.3 million minimum.

The Heat remains alive in the competition for Marcus Camby, but only if Miami and Houston can work out a sign-and-trade. Discussions are ongoing. Camby has made no firm plans to visit but has spoken with Heat president Pat Riley. The Knicks, Nets and Clippers also remain in the mix.

— Reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald

Wizards hire Don Newman as assistant coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that Don Newman will join Randy Wittman’s staff as an assistant coach.

Newman brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the Wizards’ staff, including the past seven seasons as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.  During his successful tenure with the Spurs, Newman worked under Gregg Popovich and helped lead San Antonio to a pair of NBA Championships (2005 and 2007), a pair of Western Conference championships (2005 and 2007) and five Division titles (2005, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012).  In each of Newman’s seven seasons on the bench, the Spurs won 50 or more games, including a 50-16 mark last season en route to a Southwest Division title.

“Don is an outstanding coach and a great addition to our staff,” said Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman. “He brings championship experience from his time with the Spurs and has been very successful in every stop of his career.”

Newman originally joined the NBA as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1999. In his four seasons with the Bucks, Milwaukee made three playoff appearances and won the Central Division title in the 2000-01 season. Newman served as an assistant with the New Jersey during the 2003-04 season, in which the Nets captured the Atlantic Division title and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. He also served as an assistant for USA Basketball during the 2002 World Championships.

Newman spent 10 years in college basketball prior to his time in the NBA. He served as a head coach with Sacramento State (1992-97) and was named the interim head coach at Arizona State in 1997, leading the Sun Devils to an 18-14 record and a trip to the NIT Tournament. Newman also had stints as an assistant coach with Oregon and Washington State.

Newman played three seasons of basketball at the University of Idaho (after spending his freshman year at LSU) and was originally drafted by two NBA teams.  After being selected by Indiana in the fourth round of the 1979 Draft (as a junior eligible selection), he was selected by Boston in the third round of the 1980 Draft. He played three seasons in the CBA (for the Montana Golden Nuggets where George Karl was his head coach) and also played seven seasons in the CFL.  He was invited to training camp with both the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Jets.

Dwyane Wade undergoes left knee surgery

Dwyane Wade undergoes left knee surgery

The Miami Heat announced today that guard Dwyane Wade underwent successful left knee surgery this morning. The 20-minute procedure was performed by Heat team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables. Wade can begin therapy immediately and is expected to be ready for training camp.

An eight-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, Wade appeared in 49 regular season games for the NBA Champion Heat in 2011-12 and averaged 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.67 steals, 1.29 blocks and 33.2 minutes. He also appeared in all 23 postseason games for Miami and averaged 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.70 steals, 1.30 blocks and 39.4 minutes.

Acie Law continues playing in Europe

Acie Law continues playing in Europe

Reigning Turkish Airlines Euroleague champion Olympiacos BC Piraeus kept building its roster for the upcoming season by re-signing point guard Acie Law for an extra year, the club announced Saturday. Law (1.90 meters, 27 years old) arrived to Olympiacos before the start of the Top 16, averaging 5.5 points in 12 games with the Reds last season. He boosted his numbers up to 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the playoffs series against Montepaschi Siena, which allowed Olympiacos to make it to the Final Four and eventually win the Euroleague title. Law also helped Olympiacos to win the Greek League last season.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Darrell Arthur will stay with Grizzlies

The Grizzlies took another step Sunday toward solidifying their frontcourt,agreeing to terms with forward Darrell Arthur on a three-year contract worth just over $9 million,according to a source familiar with the agreement.

Memphis tendered qualifying offers to Arthur and fellow forward Marreese Speights,both restricted free agents,in late June. The Grizzlies came to terms late last week with Speights,agreeing to pay him nearly $9 million over two years.

The third year of Arthur’s deal is a player option.

— Reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal