Wizards hire Don Newman as assistant coach

The Washington Wizards announced today that Don Newman will join Randy Wittman’s staff as an assistant coach.

Newman brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the Wizards’ staff, including the past seven seasons as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.  During his successful tenure with the Spurs, Newman worked under Gregg Popovich and helped lead San Antonio to a pair of NBA Championships (2005 and 2007), a pair of Western Conference championships (2005 and 2007) and five Division titles (2005, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012).  In each of Newman’s seven seasons on the bench, the Spurs won 50 or more games, including a 50-16 mark last season en route to a Southwest Division title.

“Don is an outstanding coach and a great addition to our staff,” said Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman. “He brings championship experience from his time with the Spurs and has been very successful in every stop of his career.”

Newman originally joined the NBA as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1999. In his four seasons with the Bucks, Milwaukee made three playoff appearances and won the Central Division title in the 2000-01 season. Newman served as an assistant with the New Jersey during the 2003-04 season, in which the Nets captured the Atlantic Division title and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. He also served as an assistant for USA Basketball during the 2002 World Championships.

Newman spent 10 years in college basketball prior to his time in the NBA. He served as a head coach with Sacramento State (1992-97) and was named the interim head coach at Arizona State in 1997, leading the Sun Devils to an 18-14 record and a trip to the NIT Tournament. Newman also had stints as an assistant coach with Oregon and Washington State.

Newman played three seasons of basketball at the University of Idaho (after spending his freshman year at LSU) and was originally drafted by two NBA teams.  After being selected by Indiana in the fourth round of the 1979 Draft (as a junior eligible selection), he was selected by Boston in the third round of the 1980 Draft. He played three seasons in the CBA (for the Montana Golden Nuggets where George Karl was his head coach) and also played seven seasons in the CFL.  He was invited to training camp with both the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Jets.

Dwyane Wade undergoes left knee surgery

Dwyane Wade undergoes left knee surgery

The Miami Heat announced today that guard Dwyane Wade underwent successful left knee surgery this morning. The 20-minute procedure was performed by Heat team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables. Wade can begin therapy immediately and is expected to be ready for training camp.

An eight-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, Wade appeared in 49 regular season games for the NBA Champion Heat in 2011-12 and averaged 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.67 steals, 1.29 blocks and 33.2 minutes. He also appeared in all 23 postseason games for Miami and averaged 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.70 steals, 1.30 blocks and 39.4 minutes.

Acie Law continues playing in Europe

Acie Law continues playing in Europe

Reigning Turkish Airlines Euroleague champion Olympiacos BC Piraeus kept building its roster for the upcoming season by re-signing point guard Acie Law for an extra year, the club announced Saturday. Law (1.90 meters, 27 years old) arrived to Olympiacos before the start of the Top 16, averaging 5.5 points in 12 games with the Reds last season. He boosted his numbers up to 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the playoffs series against Montepaschi Siena, which allowed Olympiacos to make it to the Final Four and eventually win the Euroleague title. Law also helped Olympiacos to win the Greek League last season.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Darrell Arthur will stay with Grizzlies

The Grizzlies took another step Sunday toward solidifying their frontcourt,agreeing to terms with forward Darrell Arthur on a three-year contract worth just over $9 million,according to a source familiar with the agreement.

Memphis tendered qualifying offers to Arthur and fellow forward Marreese Speights,both restricted free agents,in late June. The Grizzlies came to terms late last week with Speights,agreeing to pay him nearly $9 million over two years.

The third year of Arthur’s deal is a player option.

— Reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Miami Heat have interest in John Lucas III

While they work on ways to secure help in their frontcourt by courting Marcus Camby and Rashard Lewis, the Miami Heat are also looking at making a possible addition to their backcourt.

The Heat have been in contact with Chicago Bulls free agent point guard John Lucas III, sources told ESPN.com.

Lucas averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 assists in 49 games with the Bulls last season including a 24-point game against the Heat in March in a Bulls victory. It was the best season of his winding career that’s taken him in and out of the NBA dating back to 2005.

The Heat will still have three open roster spots after signing Ray Allen this week and Lucas is under consideration for one of them.

— Reported by Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com

Heat and Knicks want Marcus Camby

Heat and Knicks want Marcus Camby

Highly sought-after unrestricted free agent big man Marcus Camby postponed his meeting with the Miami Heat on Saturday, according to a source with knowledge of his plans.

It was done to allow the team to work on a potential sign-and-trade with the Houston Rockets, but the Rockets aren’t currently interested in dealing with the Heat.

The Rockets, according to sources, are more interested in a sign-and-trade with the New York Knicks. Sources told ESPN.com that the Knicks have had discussions with the Rockets about Camby, as well as the Dallas Mavericks about a sign-and-trade for free agent Jason Kidd, who agreed to join the Knicks earlier this week.

The Knicks are hoping to make a sign-and-trade deal for one of them and use their $3.09 million mid-level exception to sign the other.

A source close to Camby would be “shocked” if he signs anywhere for the veteran’s minimum of $1.4 million, which is what the Heat only have available after Ray Allen agreed to their mid-level exception of $3.09 million on Friday.

— Reported by Jared Zwerling and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com

Bucks likely keeping Ersan Ilyasova

Bucks likely keeping Ersan Ilyasova

The Milwaukee Bucks are close to a deal with free-agent forward Ersan Ilyasova, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been completed. Multiple media reports earlier in the day

indicated the sides were close to a contract.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Ilyasova had a breakout season for Milwaukee in 2011-12, averaging 13 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He played in 60 games and made 41 starts last season.

The 25-year-old native of Turkey has played four seasons with the Bucks, with career averages of 9.7 points and six rebounds per game.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Anthony Davis to play on Hornets summer league team

Anthony Davis to play on Hornets summer league team

One day after being denied a spot on the USA Basketball team that will play in the London Olympic Games, New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis said Sunday he’ll be playing with the Hornets team in the summer league that begins here [in Las Vegas] later this month.

Initially Davis had said he wouldn’t participate in the summer league. But it’s unclear whether he’ll be joining the younger, men’s select team that works against the Olympic team in preparation for the Games next week in Washington, D.C.

Davis is still an alternate for the Olympic Games.

— Reported by Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune 

Kirk Hinrich will return to Chicago Bulls

Kirk Hinrich will return to Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have made their first move in the NBA’s free-agency period by bringing back a familiar face: Kirk Hinrich. As first reported by the Chicago Tribune, the veteran guard agreed to a two-year, $6-million contract, a source confirmed to CSNChicago.com.

The deal is believed to be the “mini” mid-level exception, according to the same source, which is earmarked for teams up against the salary cap. While Hinrich drew interest from several other NBA teams, including the nearby division rival Milwaukee Bucks, ultimately returning to the franchise that drafted him and being able to live with his family in his north-suburban home he has resided in during offseasons since being traded from the Bulls in the summer of 2010 was a deciding factor.

Hinrich, who is capable of playing both guard positions and is regarded as a strong defender, will likely start the season as the Bulls’ starting point guard as Derrick Rose recovers from ACL surgery.

— Reported by Aggrey Sam of CSN Chicago