Inside Hoops – Page 1068 – NBA Blog

Timberwolves do not extend qualifying offers to Robbie Hummel or Othyus Jeffers

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team will not extended qualifying offers to forwards Robbie Hummel and Othyus Jeffers. With Minnesota not extending qualifying offers to Hummel and Jeffers by today’s deadline, both players will become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Hummel, a 6-8 forward, appeared in 53 games (five starts) for Minnesota last season averaging 3.4 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 12.4 mpg. The Wolves originally drafted Hummel with the 58th overall selection (second round) of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Jeffers, a 6-5 guard, appeared in two games with Minnesota last season totaling two points and three rebounds. The Wolves signed Jeffers on April 8, 2014.

Avery Bradley hopes to stay with Celtics

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on the Celtics and guard Avery Bradley:

On the eve of restricted free agency, Avery Bradley reaffirmed a desire to be back with the Boston Celtics, but said his offseason focus remains on simply improving as a player and letting his future take care of itself.

The Celtics formally extended a $3.6 million qualifying offer on Monday that gives them the chance to match any outside offer that Bradley receives when free agency opens at midnight. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on an extension to his rookie pact before a late-October deadline, but talks should resume now with outside interest likely to play a part in Bradley’s final price tag.

“I haven’t been worried about [free agency],” said Bradley, wearing a Celtics cap and colors as he instructed campers on the final day of his Avery Bradley Skills academy at UMass-Boston. “I’ve been worried about getting better. I try not to think about anything I can’t control. All I can do is continue to try to get better every single day, and I know everything else will work out.”

Asked about talks with Boston, Bradley added, “We really haven’t [spoke about] any numbers or anything. Obviously, I want to be here. And I let those guy know that. When the time comes, we’ll just see what happens, and see if we come to an agreement.”

Orlando Magic waive Doron Lamb

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Doron Lamb, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Lamb played in 53 games last season with the Magic, averaging 3.6 ppg. in 13.1 minpg., while shooting .400 (36-90) from three-point range. He scored in double figures six times, including a season-high 14 points on Apr. 2 vs. Cleveland

Originally selected by Milwaukee in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, Lamb appeared in 100 career NBA regular season games with Milwaukee and Orlando, averaging 3.5 ppg. in 12.7 minpg., while shooting .394 (50-127) from three-point range. He was acquired by Orlando along with Tobias Harris and Beno Udrih from Milwaukee in exchange for J.J. Redick, Gustavo Ayon and Ish Smith on Feb. 21, 2013.

Celtics extend qualifying offer to Avery Bradley

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have extended a qualifying offer to guard Avery Bradley.

Bradley, a 6’2 guard, is coming off a breakout 2013-14 season where he recorded career-highs in points per game (14.9), rebounds per game (3.8), points (891), rebounds (226), minutes (1855), field goals made (361), three-pointers made (79) and free throws made (90). Bradley tied a career-high for points in a game when he notched 28 points against Brooklyn on March 21. He recorded his first career double-double when he recorded 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against New York on December 8. Selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Bradley recorded his 1,000th career points in the opening game of the season against Toronto on October 30. He led the Celtics in scoring in 17 games and recorded 20 or more points in 16 contests.

Jason Kidd leaving Nets to coach Bucks

Well, this escalated quickly. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to send two second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets to secure the coaching rights to Jason Kidd, sources tell ESPN.com.

The Bucks had been offering one second-round pick, but the Nets initially wanted a 2015 first-round pick in exchange, a negotiating chip the Bucks originally dismissed.

A source told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz that the Bucks have only talked to Kidd about being the coach, not any kind of administrative position running basketball operations. The source said the negotiation was supposed to be between the owners, not involving any basketball personnel, before the story was leaked out by the New York Post. But the source said the negotiations are now being handled by Bucks general manager John Hammond and Nets GM Billy King.

Pat Riley statement on Chris Bosh, who is opting out of Heat contract

Pat Riley statement on Chris Bosh opting out of Heat contract

The following statement by Pat Riley was released today by the Miami Heat:

“Today we were notified of Chris’ intentions to opt-out of his contract. Chris is one of the most versatile and dynamic big men in this league, and he has been an instrumental key to our championship success over the last four seasons. We look forward to meeting with Chris and his agent in the coming days to discuss keeping him in Miami for many years to come.”

Kings waive forward Willie Reed

The Sacramento Kings waived forward Willie Reed, according to Kings General manager Pete D’Alessandro.

The 6-10, 200-pound forward was signed as a free agent by the Kings on March 26, 2014. He did not see action in any regular season games with the Kings. Reed was assigned to the Kings’ D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns and averaged 13.6 points (.649 FG%, .800 FT%), 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.4 blocks and 25.0 minutes per game in five contests off the bench.

A glance at Warriors free agency needs

Here’s the Bay Area News Group reporting on the Golden State Warriors. NBA league-wide free agent negotiations begin Tuesday, July 1:

The Warriors’ needs: a backup point guard, a backup shooting guard, reliable scoring off the bench, a penetrator, a big man who can shoot the 3-pointer, a low-post scorer and a third-string center. But when you’re on limited funds, you have to find players who knock out a few needs.

Since Festus Ezeli is expected to return and David Lee can serve as the third center, the Warriors’ greatest need is on the perimeter. Jordan Crawford and Steve Blake won’t return, leaving no backups for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Guard Rodney Stuckey, a free agent after seven seasons with Detroit, makes a lot of sense for the Warriors because he can back up Curry or Thompson. Stuckey is 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, and his game is attacking the paint off the dribble. His career percentage of free-throw attempts to field-goal attempts is .381, well above Curry’s career-high of .252 last season.

Jeremy Lin, a Bay Area native and former Warrior, is an even better penetrator than is Stuckey. But Lin will count $8.4 million against the salary cap on his expiring contract — if Houston were willing to trade him. That would leave the Warriors with less than $3 million to fill out the roster.

Will Carmelo Anthony re-sign with Knicks?

Here’s the New York Post reporting on Carmelo Anthony free agency and the Knicks:

According to one Knicks player Carmelo Anthony spoke to recently, he gave no indication he was planning an exit strategy from New York.

The source told The Post this week one reason Anthony wants to remain in New York is he has enjoyed being in a big media market, as opposed to being in Denver.

The Post reported two weeks ago Knicks officials liked their odds of re-signing Anthony following their June 13 dinner meeting in Los Angeles in which Phil Jackson, coach Derek Fisher and general manager Steve Mills met with Anthony and his agent Leon Rose and broached the Mavericks trade.

The Post reported the organization likes its chances because of cap-space issues of Chicago and Houston. ESPN.com confirmed The Post report Saturday, saying Knicks officials were “increasingly optimistic’’ about their chances because Anthony and Jackson have “connected.’’ And now Anthony has a more consistent point guard in Jose Calderon, one of seven players Jackson added this week.

Lakers, Knicks could be Pau Gasol free agency possibilities

Here’s ESPN Los Angeles reporting on some Pau Gasol free agency possibilities:

While free-agent forward Pau Gasol grew tired of the persistent trade rumors that followed him for the better part of the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he would give strong consideration to re-signing with the team, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Gasol has strong ties to Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who has advocated for his return, and a deep affinity for Los Angeles and the franchise he won two NBA titles with. While the constant trade rumors stung, Gasol learned to live with them and has a level of expectation that a new coaching staff would prioritize him more than Mike D’Antoni did, sources said.

ESPN reported Friday that the New York Knicks are preparing to make a run at the 7-foot Spaniard who thrived in new Knicks president Phil Jackson’s triangle offense in L.A. The Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors are also expected to pursue Gasol in free agency, sources said.

However, Gasol may have to wait until free-agent forwards Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James make their decisions, as many of the teams with an interest in Gasol also have an interest in Anthony and James.