Inside Hoops – Page 1892 – NBA Blog

76ers extend qualifying offers to Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have extended qualifying offers to center Spencer Hawes and forward Thaddeus Young. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.

Hawes started all but one game for the Sixers this past season, averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. The Sixers were 14-6 when he scored in double-figures. Hawes was originally the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by Sacramento. He was acquired via trade from the Kings along with Andres Nocioni in exchange for Samuel Dalembert on June 17, 2010.

Young – who finished third in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year voting this season – appeared in all 82 games for the Sixers in 2010-11, averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.10 steals in 23.3 minutes per game. He ranked ninth in the league in field goal percentage (54.1% FGs) and is shooting 50.8% for his career. The Sixers were 12-3 when Young scored 20-plus points this past season. He was originally the 12th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Atlanta Hawks exercise option on Jeff Teague

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the contract option for the 2012-13 season on guard Jeff Teague, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

Teague, the 19th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest, has seen action in 141 career regular season games for the Hawks averaging 4.2 ppg, 1.8 apg and 1.2 rpg (.420 FG%, .808 FT%).

He has also played in 17 career postseason contests, putting up 6.5 ppg, 1.9 apg and 1.1 rpg (.473 FG%, .826 FT%).

In last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Bulls, Teague tallied 14.8 ppg, 4.2 apg and 2.8 rpg (.537 FG%, .842 FT%), starting all six games.

Otis Smith wants Gilbert Arenas to stay off the basketball court

Zach McCann of the Orlando Sentinel (blog) reports:

Gilbert Arenas needs to take some time away from basketball this summer. That’s what Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith says.

Smith, in an interview with Brian Fritz and Dante Marchitelli on the Open Mike radio show, said it’s important for Arenas to stop playing basketball and focus on improving his body.

Smith wants Arenas, who weighs about 225 pounds, to lose 10 to 15 pounds this summer. And he wants Arenas to continue strengthening his injured knee. Smith called both of those goals a “non-issue” and something he has no worries about.

What Smith does worry about, however, is Arenas playing basketball too much.

Spurs deny shopping Tony Parker

If the phone rings, you answer it. And assuming the voice on the other end of the phone is familiar, you say hello, and you listen to what the person says to you.

And that’s all the San Antonio Spurs say they’re doing in regard to star point guard Tony Parker.

Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News (blog) reports:

Responding to an internet report about discussions the Spurs have had regarding potential trades, Spurs general manager R.C. Buford on Wednesday denied that the club actively is seeking a trade that would involve All-Star point guard Tony Parker.

“We’re not shopping anyone,” Buford said, via text message. “We’ve received calls on a lot of our guys and we’ve answered the phone.”

YahooSports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Spurs had been “in discussions” with with Raptors and Kings for a deal involving Parker.

An executive of a team not involved in the discussions said he had no knowledge that the Spurs were seeking deals for Parker, but confirmed the belief they were “gauging the interest” of teams that called about him.

With Tim Duncan looking old and the Spurs championship window probably closing, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Spurs scrap their team and rebuild. Though it’s still amazing how the team enjoyed a fantastic regular season, only to get upset by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.

Ricky Rubio gives Wolves a dash of pizazz

Ricky Rubio has finally arrived in North America.

To play basketball! As opposed to, say, taking a vacation.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are excited. As well they should be, because even if Rubio is still merely just a kid, he’s got flash and adds some excitement to a team that’s done plenty of losing lately.

Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports:

The Savior arrived at Target Center on Tuesday, and that can mean only one thing. Well, other than the fact that I must have slept through that whole Rapture thing. Yes, Ricky Rubio finally has made it to Minnesota.

He was charming, humble, determined and clearly delighted to be here. Rubio even joked about already having bought a heavy jacket in anticipation of his first Minnesota winter. Of course, the first time he walks out of the arena after a game and his face falls off, he’ll realize that he needs more than a heavy jacket. But we’ll deal with that when the time comes. For now, things couldn’t be better.

“Of course, I’m going to have pressure,” Rubio said with an innocent smile. “But I’ve been playing professionally since I am 14 years old.”

David Kahn and the Timberwolves might have hit the jackpot. And Rubio doesn’t even have to become a superstar, although that would be lovely. I can’t recall running across a 20-year-old with such charisma. This kid has enough pizazz to reinvigorate the franchise. He is exactly what the Wolves need. He might even become the most popular athlete in any sport in the Twin Cities.

Kahn, who takes a lot of heat for a lot of things, deserves credit for getting him signed under less-than-ideal circumstances. The team has struggled for the past two years while Rubio has played in Barcelona. People were justifiably impatient and maybe even a bit panicked, considering all the rumors flying around. But Kahn maintained a calm public demeanor while working behind the scenes to develop ties with Rubio and his family.

I look forward to seeing the kid play next season. I don’t expect much in the way of points, though. But if nothing else, Rubio should help provide a pulse.

Suns say they will not trade Steve Nash

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports:

Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby had an emphatic response to a Wednesday morning espn.com report that the Suns have discussed trading Nash to Minnesota in a package for the No. 2 pick in Thursday’s draft. It came on the heels of denying another espn.com report that the Suns explored sending Marcin Gortat to Minnesota.

“We are not trading Marcin Gortat. Period. End of sentence,” Babby said Wednesday morning. “We are not trading Steve Nash. Period. Exclamation point.”

The espn.com article did note how doubtful it is that Nash would be dealt to Minnesota, a 17-65 team last season, based on the presumption that Nash would want to play for a contender if he asked for a trade and that the Suns would abide.

Bobcats forward Boris Diaw picks up $9 million option

The AP reports:

Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw has exercised his player option for next season that will pay him $9 million.

Agent Doug Neustadt said Tuesday they informed the Bobcats of the decision earlier this week.

Diaw said after the season that with the potential labor uncertainty this summer, it was a “no-brainer” to pick up the option and avoid becoming a free agent until 2012.

Dirk Nowitzki may join German national team this summer

The Dallas Morning News reports:

Dirk Nowitzki is considering joining the German national team this summer to help their chances of qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Nowitzki told ESPN 103.3 FM on Tuesday that he would decide within a few weeks.

Germany must finish among the top six of the 24 teams at the EuroBasket tournament to be eligible to qualify for the next Olympics.

David Kahn says no to any Kevin Love or Ricky Rubio trade

Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:

“Absolutely not, no ifs ands or buts,” Kahn said. “Kevin will be on this team next year and I expect Kevin, as I’ve said numerous times, to be on this team for many, many years. I see him as being a very important part of our future.”

He took the same stance on Rubio, even though it’s conceivable Cleveland could take Arizona’s Derrick Williams first in Thursday’s NBA draft. That would leave Duke point guard Kyrie Irving available two days after the Wolves welcomed Rubio to the franchise.

“Ricky Rubio will not be traded by the Timberwolves,” Kahn said. “You can go to sleep on it. He’s here for a long, long time.”

Grizzlies rejecting offers for Rudy Gay

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports:

The Griz are reluctant to part with players in their rotation, according to a source with knowledge of Heisley’s thinking. Heisley has swiftly rejected any trade offers for Gay. He’s also panned deals for O.J. Mayo because they haven’t presented a significant upgrade over the third-year guard.

Heisley is said to have informed the Grizzlies’ front office that he will no longer sign off on any deals he perceives as cheap, like the failed February transaction that would have sent Mayo to Indiana for forward Josh McRoberts and a first-round pick.

However, the Griz have gauged interest in Mayo, and he appears to be the player most likely to be moved this summer if offers for him improve.