Inside Hoops – Page 741 – NBA Blog

Timberwolves, Cole Aldrich reach agreement

With most free agents having already made agreements, now we’re mostly left with players who will have a backup role. Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune with a Timberwolves update:

Going into the third day of free agency, the Wolves have made their first move by reaching agreement on a three-year, $22 million contract with Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich.

The former Bloomington Jefferson star and Kansas University center is coming home.

Reached by colleague Kent Youngblood on Sunday evening while on an Italian vacation, Aldrich, 27, said “being part of the organization I grew up watching is really very special. You always kind of think it’s a possibility. You never really know. I’m just really exicted.”

Nets will sign Tyler Johnson to offer sheet

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the Nets and their rebuilding project:

After signing starting point guard Jeremy Lin on Friday and power forward Trevor Booker on Saturday, the Nets are preparing to add restricted free-agent guard Tyler Johnson, who has agreed to sign a four-year, $50 million offer sheet, according to The Vertical.

The Miami Heat, with whom Johnson has played for his first two NBA seasons, have three days to retain him and match the Nets’ bid once the 24-year-old signs the Nets’ offer on Thursday, which is when the free-agent signing moratorium will be lifted.

Jazz will send Trey Burke to Wizards

The Jazz have way too many point guards. A trade was expected. And that’s what will happen — Trey Burke will become a member of the Jazz. Here’s the Washington Post:

The Washington Wizards, who missed out on signing four-time All-Star Al Horford on Saturday, made multiple moves Sunday to improve their depth.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Washington acquired Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick. The news came shortly after Wojnarowski reported the team had agreed to a four-year, $26 million deal with former Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson.

Nicholson, who averaged 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season, was the team’s second free agent pickup in as many days. The 6-foot-9 Canadian reserve played collegiately at St. Bonaventure and was the 19th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Knicks will add Courtney Lee

The Knicks traded for Derrick Rose this summer, recently came to terms with center Joakim Noah, and yesterday came to an agreement with guard Courtney Lee. Here’s ESPN NY with more:

[Phil] Jackson and the Knicks filled out their starting five this weekend, coming to terms with Noah and shooting guard Courtney Lee.

The Knicks now have seven players under contract and several more holes to fill. They are expected to sign 2015 second-round pick Willy Hernangomez, a 6-foot-10 forward/center from overseas. The club would also like to re-sign Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway. The Knicks extended a qualifying offer of $2.7 million to Galloway.

Derrick Williams’ future with the Knicks is uncertain. Depending on the value of the first year of Noah and Lee’s contracts, the club could have about $5 million in available cap space. But it seems as if Williams will find more money from another club.

Jon Leuer will sign with Pistons

It is an amazing time in the league to be a free agent and a bench-level player. Here’s the Detroit Free Press reporting on the Pistons:

The Detroit Pistons have their stretch power forward.

And he won’t be Al Horford.

Jon Leuer’s agency, Priority Sports, announced this afternoon on Twitter the 27-year-old power forward has agreed to a four-year deal with the Pistons.

A person with firsthand knowledge of the situation confirmed the contract will be worth $41 million.

Leuer, who stands 6 feet 10 and 228 pounds, is coming off a season in which he shot 38.2% (42-for-110) from three-point range with the Phoenix Suns. He is a career 37.5% three-point shooter.

Lakers will sign Luol Deng

Veteran forward Luol Deng had a quiet season for the Heat in 2015-16. Averaging just 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32.4 minutes per game, he wasn’t a standout. But he’s still a solid addition to any team. Why the Lakers, though? A veteran presence, for one. Still, considering the Lakers youth movement, this is a surprising signing, especially considering how many years the deal is for. Not sure why the Lakers are doing it. Here’s the L.A. Daily News blog reporting:

The Lakers and Luol Deng agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal, according to league sources. Deng had extensive conversations with other NBA teams, including the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz. Deng also had a meeting with the Jazz on Friday, sources said.

But Deng likes the Lakers young players, including D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. Deng also talked with Lakers coach Luke Walton and was “pleased with the conversation,” sources said. Deng also liked the Lakers consistently stayed in touch after reaching out shortly after free agency began on Thursday at 9:01 p.m. PT.

After bouncing around, Jared Dudley headed back to Suns

After spending years with the Suns, Jared Dudley bounced to the Clippers, Bucks, Wizards, and is now reportedly headed back to Phoenix. Here’s the Arizona Republic reporting:

Dudley was a trade accessory when he first came to Phoenix in 2007, but that 4 ½-year stay made him a better player and the subsequent three-year absence made him want to come back to the Suns.

Dudley tried to entice Phoenix to sign him last summer, but the interest turned mutual this time after Dudley carved out a role in Washington last season as a power forward predominantly for the first time in his nine-year career. An NBA source told azcentral sports Friday night that Dudley has agreed to sign with the Suns for a three-year, $30 million contract. The money is fully guaranteed and the contract carries the same terms that Dudley’s Suns predecessor, Mirza Teletovic, accepted Friday from Milwaukee.

Dudley, who is 6 feet 7, played almost exclusively at power forward and even at center in extreme small-ball lineups for the Wizards, while stretching out defenses with 42 percent 3-point shooting that ranked eighth in the NBA. Before a late-season slump, Dudley once led the NBA in 3-point percentage and ranks 41st all-time with a career 3-point percentage of 39.9.

Clippers trying hard to land Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant’s Thunder were one win away from reaching the 2016 NBA Finals. This offseason, they traded their starting power forward Serge Ibaka away for a starting shooting guard (Victor Oladipo) and some depth. So, Durant should stick with OKC, right? That’s what’s expected to happen. But Durant is taking meetings with other squads. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Kevin Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers met for approximately four hours Friday night in the Hamptons, and sources close to the situation say Durant was “blown away” by the Clippers’ presentation.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, president Doc Rivers, executive vice president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were present at the meeting.

According to a source, Durant was incredibly impressed by the vision and direction of the Clippers and made a strong connection with those at the meeting.

Chris Paul did not make it to the meeting but spoke to Durant beforehand and made his pitch over the phone; the two have talked throughout the process, including last week, sources told ESPN.

Thunder hire Adrian Griffin, promote Vin Bhavnani and Royal Ivey

The Oklahoma City Thunder has named Adrian Griffin as assistant coach and promoted Vin Bhavnani and Royal Ivey to assistant coaches, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

“We’re pleased to welcome Adrian to Oklahoma City,” said Head Coach Billy Donovan. “In addition to his wealth of experience as a player and coach that will add value to our program, I also feel that he will be a terrific fit on our coaching staff, and I’m excited for him to join the Thunder organization.”

Griffin joins Donovan’s staff after spending the 2015-16 season as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic. Prior to last year, Griffin spent the five previous seasons (2010-15) as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls.

His coaching experience dates back to 2008 where he served as assistant coach/player development for two seasons (2008-10) with the Milwaukee Bucks. During the summer of 2014, Griffin worked with the USA Basketball Men’s National Team that captured the gold medal at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

As a player, Griffin appeared in 477 career NBA games (179 starts) during nine seasons with Boston, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Seattle, averaging 4.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 16.8 minutes. Griffin also played one season in Italy and three seasons in the CBA with Connecticut.

A native of Wichita, Kan., Griffin was a three-year starter at Seton Hall and as a senior won All-Big East Second Team honors after averaging 16.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Bhavnani, an eight-year veteran of the club, has spent the past six seasons as its Manager of Advanced Scouting/Player Development after starting his career as the team’s Video Coordinator. Prior to joining the Thunder he spent two seasons as a video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs. Bhavnani started his NBA career as a video intern with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Los Angeles, Calif., native spent one season as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at Santa Monica Junior College after graduating from the University of Southern California in 2003.

Ivey is being elevated to assistant coach after serving last season as a player development assistant with the Thunder.

After a four-year collegiate career at the University of Texas, Ivey enjoyed a 10-year NBA playing career in which he appeared in 492 games (114 starts) and averaged 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists. Ivey’s coaching career began during the 2014-15 season where he served as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s D-League affiliate.

Mark Daigneault, who joined the Thunder staff earlier this year, will return to his role as head coach of the Oklahoma City Blue. Additionally, Daigneault will lead the Thunder entry in the 2016 Orlando Summer League.

O.J. Mayo banned from NBA for two years

The NBA announced today that free agent O.J. Mayo has been dismissed and disqualified from the league for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Under the Anti-Drug Program, Mayo is eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.

The NBA, NBA teams, and the Players Association are prohibited from publicly disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any NBA player under the Anti-Drug Program, other than to announce a player’s suspension or dismissal from the league.