NBA News Blog – Page 632 – NBA Blog

No Team USA for Kawhi Leonard this summer

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard today announced that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s National Team.

“This was a very difficult decision. It’s an honor to have been considered for the team and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for USA Basketball.”

Leonard, the 2015 and 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, was a 2016 All-NBA First Team selection. In his first All-Star season, the fifth-year forward averaged a career-high 21.2 points to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.78 steals in 33.1 minutes while shooting .506 (551-1,090) from the floor, a personal-best .443 (129-291) from beyond the arc and .874 (292-334) from the free throw line.

Report: Nets trade Thaddeus Young to Pacers

Report: Nets trading Thaddeus Young to Pacers

The Nets finished last season with a 21-61 record, the third worst in the league, ahead of only the Lakers and Sixers. A Brooklyn rebuild is clearly in order, which is difficult when a team has traded lots of first round draft picks away. But they have reportedly taken a step in the rebuild direction today, as reported by Woj/Yahoo Sports:

Brooklyn has traded forward Thad Young to the Indiana Pacers for the 20th pick and a future 2nd rounder, league sources tell @TheVertical.

Young, a power forward, averaged 15.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season and now gets to play alongside star Paul George.

Both the Nets and Pacers could make more moves soon. It’ll be interesting to see if the Nets deal center Brook Lopez, who is their best-remaining commodity.

Jeremy Lin reportedly declines contract option

The core of the Hornets backcourt this past season was Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum. Jeremy Lin, however, played fairly big minutes (26.3 mins/game) but was paid like a guy who sits close to the end of the bench. It isn’t a surprise that he’s seeking a new contract. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Facing a Wednesday deadline, Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin declined to opt in on a $2.2 million player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, league sources say.

Lin, who turns 28 in August, averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists over 26.3 minutes per game in his only season with the Hornets. He signed a two-year, $4.3 million contract with Charlotte last July, but the contract contained an early termination option that Lin triggered to explore free agency.

Knicks get Derrick Rose

Finals Game 7 was Sunday, the Draft is tomorrow, and you think that would be enough to keep fans busy, yet there are also some big trades dropping: the Knicks got Derrick Rose today, in trade from the Bulls.

Can D-Rose stay healthy? Will he regain his quickness and dominance of the past? And will he mesh with Carmelo Anthony, who tends to hang onto the ball for a while? And will Rose help make young Kristaps Porzingis better?

We already have something to look forward to next season. Fun stuff.

For full trade details, click here: Bulls trade Derrick Rose to Knicks

Darrick Martin named head coach of Reno Bighorns

The Reno Bighorns today named Darrick Martin as the team’s new head coach, according to General Manager Peja Stojakovic.

Martin, 45, joins the Bighorns after spending the 2015-16 season as a radio analysist for the UCLA Men’s Basketball broadcast. Prior to starting his career in the booth, Martin spent three seasons as an assistant coach at St. John’s University, where he served under Steve Lavin.

A 13-year NBA veteran that appeared in 514 games, Martin began his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves (1994-95, 2003-04) before joining the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Los Angeles Clippers (1996-99, 2004-05), Sacramento Kings (1999-01), Dallas Mavericks (2001-02) and the Toronto Raptors (2004-08). Martin joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach and player development specialist at the conclusion of his playing career.

Report: Hawks will trade Jeff Teague to Pacers

Report: Hawks trading Jeff Teague to Pacers

The Hawks have one point guard too many, and were expected to trade one this offseason. This is now materializing, with Jeff Teague reportedly being sent to the Pacers. Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting:

The Indiana Pacers have acquired Jeff Teague from the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade than sends George Hill to the Utah Jazz, the IndyStar has confirmed.

The rest of the deal has the Jazz sending their No. 12 overall pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft to Atlanta, according to Yahoo reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, who first reported the trade.

And the Deseret News reports:

The move will give the Jazz a steadying influence at point guard while Dante Exum reacclimates himself to the NBA game after missing all of last season because of a torn ACL.

LeBron James free agency update

LeBron James returned to the Cavs two seasons ago, helped take the team to the 2015 NBA Finals, and returned there in 2016 to win the championship. He can choose to enter free agency this July, and will likely do so, but only to re-sign with the Cavs for more money. That’s been the expectation, and today Cleveland.com provides additional reason to believe that’s what will take place, as reported below:

“I love it here. I love being here. I love my teammates,” James told cleveland.com, moments before he boarded a float at The Q for the Cavs’ championship parade through downtown Cleveland. “Obviously my agent will take care of all the logistical things but, I’m happy. I’ve got no plans to go nowhere at this point.”

James, 31, can become a free agent if he decides not to exercise the one-year, $24 million player’s option in his contract. He will all but certainly decline the option on June 29 so he can get a raise from the Cavs — he can make upwards of $30 million next season under a new contract.

Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray, Dragan Bender and Kris Dunn sign with adidas

Five of the leading 2016 NBA Draft prospects — Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray, Dragan Bender and Kris Dunn — have signed with adidas. They will play a collaborative and instrumental role in driving performance insights to create new footwear and apparel. They will also be featured in upcoming brand campaigns, activations and global tours.

“For my family and I, joining adidas is truly something special,” said Brandon Ingram. “The chemistry with adidas felt right. Every day I’m working hard at developing my game and they can help me do that on a new level. I’m always looking ahead, trying to find a chance to do something different on and off the court. adidas allows me to create and that’s something I can’t do anywhere else. The best is yet to come.”

“Our playbook is simple – partner with the best players and use their insights to change the game and connect with young athletes,” said Chris Grancio, general manager, adidas global basketball. “It’s no secret that at adidas players have a voice to share ideas and insights that will create the best basketball gear in the world. We’re proud to welcome them to our family and we look forward to getting started.”

Bucks sign coach Jason Kidd to contract extension

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed head coach Jason Kidd to a contract extension, the team announced today. The agreement will keep Kidd in his position with the Bucks organization through the 2019-20 season.

“Our goal remains to be a consistent contender for NBA Championships and we believe that Jason Kidd is the right man for the job,” said Bucks co-owner Wes Edens. “In terms of preparing, developing and relating to today’s players, we think there is no better fit to lead our young and talented roster. We are excited that Jason will continue to call Milwaukee his home.”

“I truly believe that continuity is extremely important in our business, so I’m very happy for Jason and the Bucks organization to continue the partnership we have,” said General Manager John Hammond. “Jason and his staff work tirelessly to help our players grow and develop and I look forward to working with them to build our roster into a consistent contender.”

Kidd was hired by the Bucks on July 1, 2014, and helped lead the Bucks to a 41-41 record and the 6th seed in the 2015 Eastern Conference Playoffs in his first season in Milwaukee. In his three seasons as an NBA head coach, Kidd has posted a 118-128 (.479) record, including a 44-38 (.537) mark in his initial NBA head coaching campaign with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013-14.

“I greatly appreciate the confidence that our owners have placed in me by signing me to this extension,” said Kidd. “We have a hard-working group of coaches that want to teach our young players and help them reach their full potential. We still have work to do but we’re committed to the goal of building a team that consistently competes for titles.”

“I’m excited that my family and I will continue to make our home in Milwaukee,” Kidd continued. “We appreciate the terrific support we’ve received and look forward to many great years moving forward.”

Before becoming a head coach, Kidd enjoyed an exceptional 19-year NBA playing career, which included 10 All-Star Game appearances and an NBA Championship in 2011 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. He was named to the All-NBA First Team five times, All-NBA Second Team once, to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team four times and All-Defensive Second Team five times. Kidd also won gold medals with Team USA in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The second overall pick of the Dallas Mavericks in the 1994 NBA Draft, Kidd shared Co-Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill. He played in 1,391 regular season games with Dallas, Phoenix, New Jersey and New York. His teams qualified for the postseason 17 times, and he played in 158 playoff games, including three trips to the NBA Finals (2002, 2003 – New Jersey; 2011 – Dallas).

Richard Jefferson is retiring. Maybe.

The Cavaliers beat the Warriors in Game 7 last night to win the 2016 NBA championship. Veteran small forward Richard Jefferson emerged as a big-time contributor to the Cavs. And now, will RJ hang up his sneakers? Probably. But not definitely. ESPN.com reports:

“I am retiring. I am retiring,” he told Fox Sports Ohio as he celebrated.

Later, in an interview on NBA TV, Jefferson said: “My teammates keep trying to talk me out of it, and I’m like guys, this has been the most stressful month of my life. I was like, ‘I don’t know.'”

Jefferson then told ESPN of retirement: “Maybe. If you ask me now, yes. But we’ll see.”