Hawks decline team option on John Jenkins

Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting on a roster decision made by the Atlanta Hawks:

Hawks decline team option on John Jenkins

The Hawks declined to exercise the fourth-year team option on former first-round pick John Jenkins. The shooting guard who have been due $2,228,025 for the 2015-16 season but now becomes an unrestricted free agent following this season.

The team exercised the third-year option on Dennis Schroder. The point guard will make $1,763,400 next season.

Jenkins, who was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft out of Vanderbilt, has been slowed by injury during his Hawks career. He averaged 6.1 points in 14.8 minutes as a rookie in 74 games. However, last season was an injury plagued year for the shooting guard. He missed substantial time that summer and training camp with a back injury. The 23-year old appeared in only 13 games last season when the injury re-occurred and eventually required season-ending surgery in February.

Warriors exercise contract options on Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli

Warriors exercise contract options on Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli

Warriors exercise contract options on Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli

The Golden State Warriors have exercised fourth-year contract options on forward Harrison Barnes and center Festus Ezeli, which are for the 2015-16 NBA season.

The Warriors declined to exercise their third-year contract option on guard Nemanja Nedovic.

Barnes, 22, has appeared in 160 games (106 starts) over three seasons with the Warriors, averaging 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 26.8 minutes per contest. The 6’8” forward has appeared in all 19 of the team’s postseason games in that span, earning 12 starting assignments and posting averages of 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 32.5 minutes. Barnes, who was selected by the Warriors with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, was a First Team All-Rookie selection in 2012-13.

Ezeli, 25, has appeared in 79 games (41 starts) over three seasons in Golden State, averaging 2.5 points and 4.0 rebounds to go with 0.94 blocks. In 12 postseason appearances (all in 2012-13), the 6’11” center averaged 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.2 minutes. Ezeli, the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, missed the entire 2013-14 season while recovering from right knee surgery.

Nedovic, 23, appeared in 24 games with the Warriors last season as a rookie, averaging 1.1 points in 5.9 minutes per contest. Originally selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft, he was acquired by the Warriors in a draft-night deal.

Under the terms of the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, the first two years of a first round draft pick’s contract are guaranteed, while the third and fourth year of the contract are the team’s option.

Utah Jazz and Enes Kanter fail to reach extension agreement

Jazz and Enes Kanter fail to reach extension agreement

It’s always tough when a rebuilding team has to make a big decision on exactly how much of their future to tie up on any given player. That’s the situation with the Utah Jazz and center Enes Kanter, who is talented and has a bright future but isn’t a sure thing to emerge as a serious star. He may. But may not. And for the Jazz, it’s scary to take a huge leap of faith. So the team sides have reportedly failed to come up with an agreement that makes both sides happy. Here’s the Deseret News reporting:

No Jazz, Enes Kanter extension expected

Enes Kanter will enter the free-agency market next summer.

The fourth-year big man and the Utah Jazz could not come to an agreement on a contract extension and mutually agreed to call off negotiations ahead of Friday’s deadline, the Deseret News has confirmed.

Like Hayward this past summer, the 22-year-old Kanter will be a restricted free agent next offseason. Hayward ended up signing a four-year, $63 million deal with Utah after signing an offer sheet with Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Hornets.

“It’s a long process,” Kanter said. “I’m letting my agent handle this stuff. I’m just going to wait and see what’s going to happen.”

Danilo Gallinari finally back in action for Nuggets

Remember Danilo Gallinari? Sure you do. But it’s been a while since you’ve seen him play basketball. He’s a key member of the Denver Nuggets, who are surely very happy to finally have him back in action, even if he shot just 1-of-8 in limited minutes upon his return. Here’s the Denver Post reporting:

Danilo Gallinari finally back in action for Nuggets

It all went wrong for a Denver team on the rise when Gallinari went down in an ugly heap with a knee injury April 4, 2013. The Nuggets got upset by Golden State, which bounced them from the playoffs. Coach George Karl and franchise boss Josh Kroenke broke up in a contract dispute. Bad luck shadowed the franchise like a black cat.

Nearly 19 months later, Gallinari finally made it back to the Pepsi Center court Wednesday night. The Nuggets beat Detroit 89-79 in their NBA season opener.

Gallo, who scored seven points in 18 minutes against the Pistons, cannot fix everything that went wrong with the Nuggets.

“Nobody in the league is thinking much about Denver. But it’s always been that way about the Nuggets. We’ve always been the underdog. We’ve always been the team nobody talks about,” Gallinari said. “But I know the last year all of us played together, the record book says we won the most games in franchise history.”

Shaun Livingston returns for Warriors

Shaun Livingston returns for Warriors

The 2014-15 NBA regular season began Tuesday with three games, and on Wednesday featured 12 matchups, including the Warriors vs Kings. Golden State came away with a win on the court, but another in that they were able to utilize the services of guard Shaun Livingston, who wasn’t expected to be healthy enough to set foot on the court just yet. Here’s the Bay Area News Group reporting:

Shaun Livingston returns for Warriors

Warriors point guard Shaun Livingston surprisingly didn’t miss the start of the season Wednesday after his recovery from toe surgery cost him weeks of training camp and the entire preseason.

Shortly before the season opener that the Warriors went on to win 95-77, coach Steve Kerr approached Livingston about the possibility of playing since they were short-handed with David Lee and Brandon Rush sidelined.

“I was ready,” Livingston said, noting he’s been ready for a week now.

Celtics exercise contract options on Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller

While winning their season opener tonight, Boston Celtics exercised contract options on Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller

Celtics exercise contract options on Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller

The Boston Celtics have exercised their third-year option on forward Kelly Olynyk, and their fourth-year options on forward Jared Sullinger and center/forward Tyler Zeller.

The Celtics started their regular season in style this evening at home, beating the Brooklyn Nets 121-105. Point guard Rajon Rondo, who has some serious heal-from-injury skills, had 13 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists in the win.

Olynyk appeared in seven games for the Celtics this preseason and averaged 8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 25.2 minutes per game. He is averaging 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game through 70 career contests. Olynyk was originally selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft before the Celtics acquired him in exchange for the draft rights to Lucas Nogueira and two future second round picks on June 27, 2013.

Sullinger appeared in eight preseason matchups for the team and averaged 14.9 points, including shooting 15-30 (.500) from beyond the arc, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 21.9 minutes per game over that span. Sullinger was selected 21st overall by the Celtics in the 2012 NBA Draft and is averaging 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.6 minutes per game over his 119 game career.

Zeller appeared in eight preseason games for the Celtics and averaged 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game off the bench. He is averaging 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.7 blocks in 21.0 minutes per game on his career. Zeller was originally selected 17th overall by Dallas in the 2012 NBA Draft. Boston acquired him from Cleveland as part of a three-team trade on July 10, 2014.

Julius Randle injury update: Out for season after surgery

Julius Randle Injury Update: Out For Season After Surgery

Julius Randle injury update: out for season after surgery

The Los Angeles Lakers 2014-15 regular season already didn’t look on paper like many wins should be expected, but the situation is now even bleaker after a tragic injury in the team’s season-opener last night.

Lakers rookie forward Julius Randle will likely miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season. He suffered a fractured tibia of his right leg in Tuesday night’s game in Staples Center against the Houston Rockets, and today underwent surgery to fix the fracture. The recovery time suggests we won’t see Randle on an NBA court again this season.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Donald Wiss at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The Lakers expect that Randle, the team’s prized rookie, will make a full recovery.

Mavericks waive Gal Mekel

Mavericks Waive Gal Mekel To Make Room For Jose Juan Barea

Mavericks waive Gal Mekel

The Dallas Mavericks have requested waivers on guard Gal Mekel, in a move that is likely only taking place because the team expects to bring back guard Jose Juan Barea. It’s been widely reported that the Mavs like Mekel a lot. But Barea is a proven veteran who adds bench depth, and the team is looking to win as immediately as possible.

Mekel (6-3, 202) was in his second year with the Mavericks after signing as a free agent on July 11, 2013. Last season, he averaged 2.4 points, 2.0 assists and 9.4 minutes in 31 games (1 start) for Dallas.

Despite not playing much for the Mavs, Mekel will likely land a job with another NBA team in the near future. He isn’t considered a starter, but certainly belongs on someone’s bench.

Originally from Petah Tikva, Israel, Mekel spent the entire preseason with the Mavericks, and averaged 7.6 points, 3.9 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 19.4 minutes in 8 preseason games (2 starts).

Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard exchange words

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard exchange words in regular season opener

The 2014-15 NBA regular season began Tuesday night, featuring three games, the last of which was a Rockets win over the Lakers that unfortunately included LAL rookie Julius Randle breaking his leg. But there was also some fun in the form of former teammates Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard exchanging some less-than-pleasant words.

Here’s the Houston Chronicle with more:

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard exchange words

The Lakers’ season opener was supposed to be about the return of Kobe Bryant. After missing all but six games last year, the All-Star was to be back on the court to save the Lakers from another postseasonless season.

Part of that comeback would include running into Rockets center Dwight Howard, who Bryant has a rocky history with.

While both players have said since before the start of the 2013-14 season that their drama was in the past, it became the present on Tuesday night at the Staples Center, when the two shared some words in the fourth quarter.

After Howard elbowed Bryant in the face after a rebound, the two started talking. Video shows Howard saying, “I know you, dog,” and Bryant saying, “Try me” and calling Howard “soft” as he approached the Lakers bench.