NBA Teams – Page 1470 – NBA Blog

Avery Johnson was not 100 percent certain that Nets could keep Deron Williams

At no point leading up to this summer’s crucial free agency period was Brooklyn coach Avery Johnson comfortable enough to believe that point guard Deron Williams was a lock to re-sign with the Nets.

Williams grew up in the Dallas suburb of The Colony and narrowed his free agent choices to the Dallas Mavericks and the Nets. Eventually, Williams signed a five-year, $98 million contract with the Nets after seriously considering returning home to play for the Mavericks.

Johnson, who spoke Tuesday at the Fort Worth Dunbar High School assembly, said he and Nets general manager Billy King were never overconfident about Williams’ desire to remain a part of the Nets.

“We felt we were going to be able to re-sign Deron,” Johnson said. “We felt it was like 80-90 percent, but it was the 10 percent that you were worried about.”

— Reported by Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Taj Gibson may have bigger role on Bulls

Entering his fourth season, Gibson said he and Thibodeau expect more of him this season. Gibson averaged 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 20.4 minutes last season.

“Thibs already told me he wants my role to change, be more of a leader now,” Gibson said. “I worked out with him a lot during the summer. I worked out with him before the (Team) USA camp. He just wanted me to work out this whole year, build confidence and get better. He thinks I can do a lot more on and off the court. I’m ready to take that next step.”

Gibson thought the next step was being more of an all-around player.

“Just playing more solid, just coming in knocking down some 15-footers, back-to-the-basket play, a lot of stuff like that I’ve been working on during the offseason, a lot of stuff like that in the USA camp,” Gibson said.

— Reported by Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago

Reeves Nelson to be invited to Lakers training camp

Former UCLA forward Reeves Nelson will be invited to the Lakers training camp that begins in early October after he signs a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, potentially worth about $700,000 with the team, Nelson told The Times on Tuesday.

Nelson would probably be considered a long shot to make the Lakers. But he considers the training camp invitation to be a blessing, particularly because he was dismissed from UCLA in December of 2011, largely for his disruptive attitude.

“I’m very grateful,” Nelson said. “It’s nice because I’m pretty sure that virtually no one thought I could get this far, so it’s pretty gratifying.”

— Reported by Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times

Rockets to sign former NCAA assist leader Scott Machado

Point guard Scott Machado, the NCAA assists leader last season who excelled in the Rockets’ final summer league games in July, will sign with the team this week, a person with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday.

Machado will sign a three-year, partially guaranteed deal, most likely on Thursday.

Machado, 22, averaged 9.9 assists for Iona last season, but went undrafted in June. After a slow start in Las Vegas, he finished strong, getting 10 assists in the third game and 20 points in the tournament finale, replacing Courtney Fortson as the starting point guard.

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (Blog)

Dwyane Wade ahead of schedule in recovery

Appearing on “The View” at the start of his book tour, Wade was asked by host Barbara Walters about the left knee that required July 9 arthroscopic surgery.

“I’m doing great,” he said. “I’m ahead of schedule. The knee’s OK, so I’m ahead of schedule.”

However, in an interview with a Houston radio station as part of his media tour, he spoke of easing into the post-surgery process.

“That’s my goal, to be full strength,” he said. “Obviously, coming off surgery, even in the beginning of the year, [the goal is] to continue to work your way into things and hopeful hit your stride some point midseason, where you feel your best.”

Wade began court work last week with assistant coach David Fizdale, posting a photo of that session on his Twitter account.

Clippers promote Gary Sacks to Vice President of Basketball Operations

The Los Angeles Clippers today announced that Gary Sacks has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Basketball Operations.

“Gary has been a valuable and loyal member of our organization for the past 18 years,” stated Clippers’ President Andy Roeser. “His recent role this very productive summer, as well as his many contributions during the course of his tenure made it clear that he is the right person to lead our Basketball Operations Department.”

Sacks is beginning his 19th season with the Clippers, serving in the role of Director of Player Personnel for the past two campaigns and as Director of Scouting/Assistant Director of Player Personnel for the prior five seasons.

“I’m excited to take on this new role with the organization,” said Sacks. “We have a very strong roster with great depth of talent. I look forward to helping to build on the success we had last season. I am very excited to see how far we can go this year, plus we are well-positioned for the future.”

Sacks continued, “I appreciate the confidence that that Mr. Sterling has placed in me, and I look forward to continuing to work with (Clippers’ Head Coach) Vinny (Del Negro) and Andy.”

The summer of 2012 saw one of the most productive offseasons in franchise history, with Sacks, Roeser and Del Negro teaming to re-sign two-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin and five-time All-Star guard Chauncey Billups. To further enhance this year’s roster, the trio also completed the free agent signings of Jamal Crawford, Grant Hill, Lamar Odom and Ryan Hollins, plus the acquisitions of guard Willie Green and forward Ronny Turiaf via separate trades.

In his previous role of Director of Player Personnel, Sacks oversaw the team’s overall scouting efforts as well as the compilation of information on players entering the NBA Draft and professional players throughout the world. He also assisted on all facets of the day-to-day direction of the basketball operations department including player trades and free agent acquisitions.

Throughout his career with the Clippers, Sacks has worked in various capacities within the basketball operations department assisting with draft and free agency information, video preparation, draft prospect and advance scouting reports, statistical analytics and NBA Salary Cap analysis.

A 1990 graduate with a degree in Economics from UCLA, Sacks, his wife Tiffany and their two sons reside in Westwood.

Miami Heat may add Josh Harrellson

Former New York Knicks backup center Josh Harrellson is in the mix to be in the mix for the Miami Heat.

Dealt in the offseason to the Houston Rockets in the Marcus Camby sign-and-trade and later released, Harrellson auditioned for the Heat recently and is on the verge of doing so again.

Monday, on his Twitter account, Harrellson posted, “Kentucky it’s been fun! Glad I got to see everyone! Now heading to Miami for hopefully the next 9 months.”

Harrellson was drafted out of the University of Kentucky with the No. 45 pick of the 2011 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, with his draft rights then traded to the Knicks.

Harrellson later re-tweeted a reply to his Twitter account emphasizing the “hopefully” part of his original post.

— Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jrue Holiday reportedly seeking a max contract

Jrue Holiday will be asked to be a more vocal leader and take ownership of a squad that features eight new faces.

Holiday enters a critical fourth NBA season. He will play the 2012-13 campaign likely on the final year of his original four-year contract. The Sixers can sign him to an extension now, but given that Holiday is seeking a max contract, the more likely scenario is that he will become a restricted free agent next summer, which means the Sixers will have an opportunity to match any offer that comes Holiday’s way.

The 22-year-old point guard has started 198 games over the last three years, including every game the last two seasons. He averaged 13.5 points per game and 4.5 assists last season. Those statistics, when compared with those of other starting point guards in the Eastern Conference, are about middle of the road.

— Reported by Dei Lynam of CSN Philly

Taj Gibson throws out first pitch at White Sox game

Bulls power forward Taj Gibson took a night off from the hardwood and headed for the baseball diamond, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the White Sox-Twins game Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

For the 6-foot-9 Gibson, he was relieved to have thrown the pitch for an apparent strike on the pitch, tweeting, “I got it over the plate!!! Lol.”

Gibson isn’t the first Bull to take the mount this summer. Back in August, Jimmy Butler threw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field before the Cubs took on the Astros.f

— Reported by Mark Strotman of CSN Chicago

Could Dirk Nowitzki really be done in two years?

Nothing has changed for Nowitzki in terms of how he views his basketball future once this contract expires. He has consistently said since he signed the four-year, $80 million deal that it could be his last NBA contract.

Nowitzki’s loyalty to the Mavs, and Cuban, hasn’t wavered. He made that clear later during his impromptu weekend Twitter Q&A when asked why he doesn’t try to jump to a so-called super team.

“I bleed blue,” Nowitzki replied.

Maybe the quality of the Mavs’ roster will influence Nowitzki’s decision on whether to continue his career into his late 30s. Maybe he’ll figure he needs to play for a legitimate contender to muster the competitive fire at that point in life.

— Reported by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas