Magic seek more Dwight Howard trade bids

Magic seek more Dwight Howard trade bids

The Orlando Magic have re-opened negotiations with teams other than the Brooklyn Nets for Dwight Howard, a league source told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher.

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the teams but “not the best option,” the source said.

The Nets have been trying to acquire the Magic’s star center but need other teams to help facilitate the blockbuster trade. Sources told ESPN.com on Monday that the Nets and Magic were cautiously optimistic that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers would help them facilitate a four-way trade to send Howard to Brooklyn.

In that proposed trade, according to sources, the Nets would receive Howard, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark. The Magic would get Brook Lopez, Luke Walton, Damion James, Shelden Williams, Armon Johnson and three first-round picks — two from the Nets and a lottery-protected first from the Clippers. The Cavs would get Kris Humphries, Quentin Richardson, Sundiata Gaines, a first-round pick from the Nets and $3 million in cash. The Clippers would receive MarShon Brooks.

— Reported by ESPN.com news services

Deron Williams and Dwight Howard discussed teaming up in past

Deron Williams and Dwight Howard discussed teaming up in past

Deron Williams and Dwight Howard talked about being NBA teammates four years ago during the Olympics. Now Williams knows there’s speculation that it could happen soon.

He’s aware of reports that Orlando and Brooklyn are trying to arrange a trade – possibly involving two other teams – but he’s not paying too much attention to that.

“There’s been a lot of rumors over the last year as far as he’s concerned, so early on I concerned myself with it, but lately just let it play out and whatever happens, happens,” Williams said Monday at training camp for the latest Olympic team. “I think we’ll have a good team without him, I think we’d have an even better team with him.”

— Reported by Philadelphia Inquirer news services

Nenad Krstic continues playing in Russia

Nenad Krstic continues playing in Russia

One of the best big men in the 2011-12 Turkish Airlines Euroleague is set to stay put, as CSKA Moscow announced a new agreement with center Nenad Krstic, who extended his contract until the end of the 2013-14 season. CSKA keeps an option to keep Krstic for one more year, through 2014-15. Krstic (2.12 meters, 28 years old) was chosen to the All-Euroleague first team last season, averaging 14.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22 games. He named the 2011-12 Euroleague bwin MVP for November and earned weekly bwin MVP honors twice – in regular season Game 9 and in Top 16 Game 3. Krstic was second in accumulated performance index ranking (405) and points (312) and third in rebounds (121) and fouls drawn (104), leading the 2011-12 Euroleague in two-pointers made (178) with a 62.9% shooting percentage, in which was his first Euroleague season in seven years.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Myla Sinanaj, ex-girlfriend of Kris Humphries, says she is pregnant

Myla Sinanaj, ex-girlfriend of Kris Humphries, says she is pregnant

Kris Humphries may not be the sharpest tool, but he sure is potent, because TMZ has learned his ex-girlfriend, Myla Sinanaj is PREGNANT.

Sources directly connected with Myla tell us Myla confirmed Monday that she’s 3 months pregnant and says Kris is definitely the father.

This could be used in Kris’ divorce with Kim Kardashian, because Kris has claimed he was devastated by the break-up and suffered emotionally. This development further cements the fact that Kris moved on quickly.

We’re told Myla plans to have the baby but wants to raise it alone, because she believes Kris has betrayed her by talking crap about their relationship.

— Reported by TMZ

Jason Kidd may stay with Mavericks

Jason Kidd may stay with Mavericks

Jason Kidd appears prepared to end his career where he started it — with the Dallas Mavericks.

The 39-year-old is closing in on a multiyear deal, a source close to the situation said. The source said the deal is not completed, but barring any snags, Kidd will close out his career alongside Dirk Nowitzki.

The value of the contract was not known.

After a rough few days that saw prized free agent Deron Williams opt to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Jason Terry agree to terms with the Boston Celtics and then another Mavs target Steve Nash stunningly get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavs are finally nearing their first positive move of a so-far frustrating free-agent period by bringing back Kidd.

— Reported by Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas

Nets sell 500 season tickets on Tuesday, before D-Will decision

Even before Deron Williams announced his decision on Twitter early Tuesday evening, the Nets had put together a terrific day at the box office.

“We sold approximately 500 full season seats today, and obviously it was a seven figure day for us in revenue,” Nets CEO Brett Yormark said shortly before Williams made his announcement. “It’s a great day. The fans in Brooklyn are excited about the possibilities.

“I think we are hitting our stride now, and I would hope this momentum will continue, and I anticipate it will.”

Tuesday’s success, both at the box office and with the signing of Williams, continues what has been an impressive run since the team officially was unveiled as the Brooklyn Nets within the shadow of their new arena, Barclays Center, on April 30.

— Reported by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post (Blog)

Deron Williams will re-sign with Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams will re-sign with Brooklyn Nets

By InsideHoops.com

The Nets are moving to Brooklyn starting in the 2012-13 season, and they’re taking their star point guard with them.

According to multiple reports, free agent Deron Williams, one of the lone bright spots the Nets have been able to enjoy in recent seasons, has decided to re-sign with the team. According to David Alridge of Turner Sports, the deal is for five years and the league maximum salary of $100 million.

In 55 games for the Nets last season, Williams averaged 21.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.22 steals per game, though he struggled with his shot and hit just 40.7% from the field and 33.6% from three-point range. His career shooting average is better, at 45.5%.

The Nets are also expected to trade for shooting guard Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, and re-sign small forward Gerald Wallace.

They are also reportedly in the mix to trade for superstar center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. Howard has named the Nets as the team he wants to play for, though it will take a lot of work to make that materialize in the form of a trade this summer.

Gerald Wallace to re-sign with Nets

gerald wallace

The Brooklyn Nets reached a verbal commitment with swingman Gerald Wallace on a four-year deal worth $40 million, according to sources close to the process.

The Nets have been openly confident in their ability to re-sign Wallace, who opted out of the final year of his contract last month with the intent of staying with the Nets.

No new contracts in the NBA can be officially signed until July 11, but sources told ESPN.com that Wallace — originally expected to land a three-year deal worth $24 million — will instead land the four-year deal.

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com

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Dwight Howard wants trade to Nets, again

dwight howard

Dwight Howard met with new Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan on Friday and told him he wants to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Howard and Hennigan sat down face to face in Los Angeles, meeting for the first time since Hennigan became Orlando’s GM nearly two weeks ago.

Hennigan was noncommital when Howard told him he wants to be traded to Brooklyn, sources said.

Hennigan did not tell Howard whether he would trade him. His intentions were merely to hear the thoughts of the Magic superstar.

Howard picked up the option for the final year of his contract with Orlando on March 15. But since then, he has grown increasingly disgruntled with the organization, even telling people close to him that he feels the Magic blackmailed him into signing the “opt-in” clause.

— Reported by Chris Broussard of ESPN.com

Jordan Farmar exercises option, stays with Nets

jordan farmar

Jordan Farmar has opted into the final year of his contract, guaranteeing he will earn $4.25 million this season and eating into a bit of Nets’ cap space this summer.

Farmar, 25, averaged 10.4 points and 3.3 assists in a little over 21 minutes per game in 39 games with the Nets last season, his second since signing with them as a free agent in 2010. Farmar spent much of last season dealing with nagging groin injuries that kept him out of the lineup for large stretches of the shortened season, including the final 16 games of the season.

— Reported by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post (Blog)