Raptors extend qualifying offers to Calderon and Delfino

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have extended qualifying offers to restricted free-agent guards Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent it must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal in favour of the team for which the player last played.

Calderon contributed career highs of 11.2 points and a team-best 8.3 assists in all 82 regular season games in 2007-08. He led the NBA with a 5.38 (678/126) assist-to-turnover ratio. Calderon has averaged 8.7 points, 6.1 assists and 25 minutes in 223 regular season NBA games with the Raptors.

Delfino appeared in all 82 games, averaging 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds. He set career highs in points, rebounds, three-point field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, and minutes (1,928). Delfino has averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 17.1 minutes in 262 career NBA regular season games with Toronto and Detroit.

Suns announce coaching staff

The Phoenix Suns today announced that Alvin Gentry, Bill Cartwright, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov will join head coach Terry Porter’s staff as assistant coaches.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to put together an extremely bright and versatile staff,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.  “Alvin and Bill provide great knowledge and experience for Terry with both having been head coaches in the NBA.  Igor has worked with Terry on the Pistons’ staff the last two years and brings a wealth of experience both on the NBA and international levels.  Dan’s passion and work ethic will make a huge impact with our players.  We’re excited to add to our staff one of the most tenacious players in franchise history.”

“In putting together this staff, I wanted to surround myself with coaches with bench experience, guys who are knowledgeable about both ends of the basketball court and are strong teachers of the game,” Porter said.  “The coaches we selected are guys who have worked or played together and who I have competed with or against, so I’m confident we will have a great rapport from the very beginning.  Steve and I wanted to put together a staff that is accustomed to winning.  This is a championship-caliber organization and this staff has experience at competing for and winning championships.”

Including Porter, the Suns’ new coaching staff has a combined 24 Conference Finals appearances as players and coaches, 10 NBA Finals berths and six NBA titles.

Knicks coaching staff announced

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that Phil Weber and Dan D’Antoni have been hired as assistant coaches. In addition, Herb Williams has been retained to complete the coaching staff on the bench.

“We have three top quality assistant coaches that will be great assets as we work towards our goal of bringing winning basketball back to New York,” Walsh said. “Phil and Dan enjoyed tremendous success with Coach D’Antoni in Phoenix, while Herb has been a great part of our franchise for many years.”

Timberwolves to work Eric Gordon out Monday

Eric Gordon (Ht. 6-4, Wt. 215) was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year this season and earned Second Team All-America honors from the NABC and Third Team All-America honors from the Associated Press. He led the Big Ten in scoring with 20.9 points per game while also ranking fifth in free-throw percentage (.834) and 10th in steals (1.3). He topped 20 points in 19 games and scored a career-best 33 in his Indiana debut, the most ever by a Hoosier in his first collegiate game.

Anderson Varejao trade talks

The Akron Beacon Journal (Brian Windhorst) reports via blog: “The Cavs have had trade talks with at least five teams about Varejao. But these talks have three sides, the Cavs, the potential trading partner and Varejao’s agent, Dan Fegan. Because Andy has to give permission to be traded before Dec. 5 (a stipulation when a player has an offer sheet matched by his team), he must be in the loop before a deal can be done. This permission will be given (he cannot be traded to the Bobcats under any circumstances until Dec.) only if Fegan likes the chances of Varejao getting big minutes and having an important role at his new destination. The reason is this is Varejao’s contract year essentially and a big season would mean a chance at the big deal Andy has wanted for a year. I also know that at least one trading partner has already been told “no” by Fegan. I do not know which team, but keep in mind as the Cavs are linked to the Milwaukee Bucks in trade rumors that Fegan also represents Yi Jianlian and probably would not like Varejao and Yi fighting for minutes with one another.”

Derrick Rose the favorite to go to Bulls at no.1

The Miami Herald reports (via their Heat blog): Memphis point guard Derrick Rose finished his workout Thursday with the Bulls and all signs point toward the hometown kid being taken by Chicago No. 1. It’s no secret that Rose had been projected to be taken first but now there seems to be a stronger indication that it could happen in a week. Rose said he did not expect to work out for the Heat, which holds the No. 2 pick.

Amare Stoudemire declines Olympic roster spot

The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Suns star Amaré Stoudemire declined the opportunity to be an Olympian this summer for USA Basketball. Jerry Colangelo, managing director for the USA Basketball senior men’s national team, said today that Stoudemire is not on the 12-man Olympic roster that will be announced Monday in Chicago. “Amaré has pulled himself out of consideration for the roster and that’s predicated on, despite the fact that he’s had an injury-free year coming back (from knee surgeries in 2005 and 2006), he’s a little hesitant on pushing the envelope too hard,” Colangelo said.

Juan Carlos Navarro going back to Spain

The Memphis Commercial-Appeal (Ronald Tillery) reports: The Grizzlies have experienced a different kind of La Bomba than they have become accustomed to. Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro’s chances of returning for a second season in Memphis were blown to pieces Wednesday afternoon when he decided to re-sign with FC Barcelona. Navarro, who earned $538,000 with the Grizzlies last season, was swayed by a deal that will pay him between $20million and $24 million over the next four years.

InsideHoops.com says: Well, he came over and hoped to compete on a good NBA team with his buddy Pau Gasol. But Gasol got traded, the Grizzlies have just a few decent players and are light-years away from competing, and FC Barcelona saw an opening to get Navarro and took it. As for the NBA, Navarro turned out as expected, a very limited defensive player who can fire and make quick outside shots.

Raptors pay Jorge Garbajosa to go away

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have released forward Jorge Garbajosa. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

“After a long, difficult and sometimes emotional process stemming from a traumatic injury to a key player, it was concluded that parting ways was the best thing for both Jorge and the Raptors organization,” said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. “We wish Jorge nothing but the best with his basketball future.”

Garbajosa was limited to seven games last season after suffering a dislocated left ankle joint with ligament tear and fractured fibula March 26, 2007 at Boston. He had surgery to repair the ankle and fibula March 27, 2007 and surgery on his left ankle December 11, 2007.

The native of Madrid, Spain was signed as a free agent July 21, 2006 following seven seasons in the Spanish pro league and four in Italy.  He finished the 2006-07 season fifth among rookies in rebounds (4.9 rpg) and posted a 1.22 steals-per-turnover ratio. He started 60 of his 67 games, contributing 8.5 points (eighth among rookies) in 28.5 minutes (third) en route to earning T-Mobile All-Rookie First Team honours.

The team also announced that a settlement had been reached with the Spanish Basketball Federation regarding the claim filed by the Raptors in connection with the non-payment of insurance proceeds related to Garbajosa’s injury. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

“We are pleased that an acceptable resolution was reached and we can finally put this behind us,” said Colangelo.