HoopsHype.com Rumors

Wednesday, August 5

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Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis has emerged as the front-runner for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ coaching job, multiple league sources tell Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Rambis leads a pool of finalists that includes ABC-TV analyst and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson and Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner. Though a source close to Rambis says he has not yet been offered the job, multiple people with knowledge of the search say Minnesota is leaning toward choosing him. The Wolves are expected to make a decision soon. Yahoo! Sports

Adrian Wojnarowski: Brandon Roy has agreed to a 5-year extension worth between $78-$82 million with Blazers, a source tells Y!. News conf. set for Thursday. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Roy will be traveling to Portland on Thursday to sign the deal, source said. The Oregonian first reported a deal was imminent on Tuesday. Twitter.com

Former All-Star Jerry Stackhouse will be the latest veteran to audition for the New York Knicks when he meets with team officials Thursday. Sources with knowledge of the meeting said that Stackhouse is scheduled to work out at the team's practice facility as the Knicks continue to search for proven players to fill out their roster. ESPN.com

I just finished talking with Austin Daye's agent a few minutes ago, and he said his client has come to terms with the Detroit Pistons. Like all first-round picks, the first two years of the deal are guaranteed. Austin's contract will be worth between $2.9-$3.5 million, depending on whether Detroit gives him the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. Michigan Live

Greek team Trikala announced the signing for the coming season of American forward Kasib Powell. The player, MVP of D-League at the end of the season 2007/08, spent last season in China with Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (25.8ppg and 9rpg) and in NBDL with Sioux Falls Skyforce (18.6ppg). Sportando.net

Al Harrington on why he left Golden State: “Don Nelson, man. Don Nelson.” SportsRadioInterviews.com

Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins said Wednesday that the team would begin as early as next week to try to sell ads on players' practice jerseys. The news comes after NBA officials said last week that they would begin to allow the ads this season, a welcome rule change for many teams struggling with attendance and revenue. Martin suggested that corporate logos on uniforms could open up a major revenue stream, especially once the rules are expanded to allow game jerseys -- a move that is not yet certain, but anticipated and welcomed by team managers such as Martin. "The day we get to game jerseys, that's more valuable than the building," he said, referring to naming rights for a team's venue. Orlando Sentinel

I caught up with Howard briefly to ask how he felt about wearing a corporate logo on his jersey. "I don't know," he said. "I hadn't thought about it." Orlando Sentinel

But Arenas has been in Chicago, where several stars with left knee troubles -- Jermaine O'Neal and Tracy McGrady -- have been training with Tim Grover. Eric Waters, the Wizards head athletic trainer, has visited Arenas in Chicago and I've heard from several people that he looks good. Arenas will never be able to make up for the two years of his prime that he lost, but he plans to make the best of what he has left. The Wizards' new beginning is very much about Arenas's new beginning. Washington Post

According to Sasha Vujacic's official web site, the Lakers reserve guard has suffered a minor left knee injury while training with the Slovenian National Team. Vujacic sat out a pair of exhibition games against Macedonia this week in preparation for the European Championships later this summer. Riverside Press-Enterprise

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that Head Coach Eddie Jordan has named Randy Ayers as an assistant coach. Ayers joins a staff comprised of Associate Head Coach Mike O’Koren and Assistant Coaches Jim Lynam and Aaron McKie. Philadelphia Daily News

Sekou Smith: FA summer of 2010? Maybe not for ol' Joe. Sources: Hawks and JJ's camp talking extension this week in Cali. Twitter.com

Multiple sources have confirmed that Hawks general manager Rick Sund is on an extended trip to the left coast, and part of his itinerary includes time in Los Angeles for face-to-face talks about a contract extension with Johnson’s camp (I mentioned this on Twitter late last night after hearing for sure that this was going on). A three-time All-Star, Johnson is heading into the final year of the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in August 2005 (which if traced back, you will realize was the rebirth of the franchise that has since made the playoffs in back-to-back years). Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The need for a veteran big like Joe Smith remains, but at least we know there will at least one true “big man” (6-11 or taller and at least 270 pounds) in camp along with Zaza Pachulia. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Garret Siler is staying close to home. The former Augusta State All-American center announced Tuesday night his decision to attend the Atlanta Hawks' veteran camp in late September. He said he expected to sign the paperwork later this week. Augusta Chronicle

A source close to the Roy negotiations told me on Tuesday that the two-time All-Star was eager to get the deal done. And that the Blazers were also on board, and wanting to make the deal official. By 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday the sides had a verbal agreement. And the fingers of Blazers fans that were running down the schedule earlier in the day, suddenly started skipping. Oregonian

Alan Hahn: What I have been told is the Knicks want Sessions and they will eventually get him. The price remains TBD. Twitter.com

The Mavs are not in the hunt for Milwaukee restricted free-agent point guard Ramon Sessions, NBA sources tell DallasBasketball.com. However, we are told, that’s not necessarily a result of a fit of frugality and it's not necessarily reflective of a general unwillingness to use “The Buck Shot.’’ DallasBasketball.com

Jason Williams has worked out for the New York Knicks, though the team made no contract offer to the point guard. Williams, who worked out Tuesday, is attempting a return from retirement this summer and the Knicks claimed him off waivers last week. They will retain exclusive negotiating rights if they make a contract offer by Thursday. ESPN.com

Knicks president Donnie Walsh had a sample of "White Chocolate" yesterday and it tasted sweet. Whether Walsh can get flashy point guard Jason Williams wrapped in a blue-and-orange jersey is undetermined. "There's mutual intrigue," Walsh told The Post after Williams' Westchester workout. "He looked good, seemed in good shape, but it's a process and could take time." New York Post

The Knicks have exclusive negotiating rights until tomorrow. "But that doesn't mean anything," Walsh said. Walsh said Williams will visit other teams. There's been speculation the Knicks could try to sign him in order to trade him. Walsh said Williams is not necessarily being viewed as a backup. "A guy who has started his whole career shouldn't be called a backup," Walsh said. New York Post

Negotations between the New York Knicks and the comeback-seeking Jason Williams could stretch beyond this week, according to the player's representative. ESPN.com

Other teams mentioned as possible suitors for the 10-year veteran known as "White Chocolate" include the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is said to be a longstanding Williams fan and Orlando -- where Williams lived much of last season after leaving the Clippers to spend more time with his family -- is believed to have interest in a proven point guard for its bench. ESPN.com

There's been little progress made between the Pacers and Celtics on a possible sign-and-trade deal for Marquis Daniels. The Pacers aren't interested in guard Tony Allen, who the Celtics are willing to move. Indianapolis Star

Brezec, 29, is expected to come to Philadelphia to accept what a source is terming a 1-year contract for the veterans' minimum. According to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Brezec - with seven seasons of service in the NBA - is entitled to $1,107,572. Philadelphia Daily News

Cornstein confirmed the agreement, but would not comment on the terms. Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski declined comment. "I think Primoz will fit in well in [new coach] Eddie Jordan's system because he's a shooter, he can pick and pop, and he's savvy," Cornstein said. "He gives them insurance and flexibility up front." Philadelphia Daily News

Also, Grousbeck raved about the Celtics' big offseason acquisition -- the talented, enigmatic, and combustible Rasheed Wallace. "I personally recruited him with five others guys," Grousbeck said. "My guys lobbied us for the signing because the players who’ve played the game for 10 years at a high level, they know who can help them and what they can do. They know the score. Rasheed was everybody’s first choice: ownership, general manager, and players. We all wanted to have him as a first choice, and we got him." CBSSports.com

Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck didn't want to talk about the collecting bargaining negotiations he participated in Tuesday. But he had no problem anointing the Celtics as the "hands down" favorites in the Eastern Conference next season. "I think we should be the favorites in the conference, hands down," Grousbeck said after emerging from a 3 1-2 hour bargaining session between the NBA owners and the players' union. "And we’re going to start proving that Oct. 27." CBSSports.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Grgurich's annual camp in Vegas has attracted dozens of NBA's best young stars. Witnesses say Flynn, Harden, Jennings, E. Gordon look great. Twitter.com

Jared Dudley: so right now in vegas workin out we have baron davis, damon jones, tyronn lue, antoine wright, quincy douby, dahntay jones, austin daye etc. Twitter.com

Finally, Livingston signed with a minor-league team in Tulsa. That led to a contract to finish last season with the Thunder, who recently guaranteed him a roster spot for the 2009-10 season. "I might not have the same quickness, lift and power that I had," Livingston said, "so I have to be a lot smarter out there on the court." Peoria Journal-Star

Livingston said his knee is about 95 percent healthy, and his stamina is improving. He is excited about a strong youth movement with the Thunder, and the opportunity to be a veteran leader, even though he won't celebrate his 24th birthday until Sept. 11. Peoria Journal-Star

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Over the last seven weeks, the Orlando Magic's all-star center has visited Vancouver, B.C., for an EA Sports function. He has traveled to Hollywood to prepare for a cameo in the upcoming film Valentine's Day, which features Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba and Jamie Foxx. He's even pitched a reality show called Dwight Across America. "I've been all around the country, but it's been fun," Howard said Tuesday during a break from his basketball camp at UCF. "This is one of the best summers I've had in my whole entire life." Orlando Sentinel

"Hakeem Olajuwon had the Dream Shake, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the Sky Hook, and we're working on a go-to move for Dwight," McCray said. "He has an unbelievable work ethic. He's Superman in Orlando. He's Superman in the NBA. But he works to be Superman. He just doesn't wake up and put on a Magic uniform. He works at it." Orlando Sentinel

"Losing is not good, but sometimes it really helps you," Howard said. "It helped us to understand that we've got to push ourselves just a little bit more to get to the next level." Orlando Sentinel

JR Smith: im sorry but this will be my last tweet you know why but it is what it is. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Pacers' Mike Dunleavy has made "remarkable" recovery from knee surgery and source close to him says he could return "very early" in season. Twitter.com

Carlos Delfino announced that he will not play with Argentina in the summer FIBA Americas Championship because his future is not clear. Sportando.net

In a negotiating session described by both sides as "cordial and productive," the NBA and its players union began talks Tuesday on a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expires after the 2010-11 season. But no amount of politeness could sugarcoat league-wide losses -- and projected losses -- that were presented by ownership's negotiating committee in the closed-door session at a Midtown Manhattan hotel. One person familiar with the talks said the owners came prepared with "astronomical" figures detailing league-wide losses. CBSSports.com

No formal proposals were exchanged, given that this was only a preliminary step in a two-year process aimed at ratifying a new agreement without enduring a damaging lockout like the one that hampered the NBA in 1998-99. The only official business came in the form of formal notice from the owners that, as widely expected, they will not exercise their option to extend the current CBA by another year. "I think we knew that coming in," said the Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the National Basketball Players Association. "I think it was a point that they just made sure was understood, that the deal won't be extended as it currently stands. There was no surprise there." CBSSports.com

The players association -- and small-market owners -- also will push for an enhanced revenue sharing model that will funnel more revenue from the big-market teams to those in smaller cities struggling with ticket sales and local sponsorships. Although it is believed that the owners already have agreed on the framework for such a model, their negotiating committee did not formally propose it on Tuesday, sources said. Owners leaving the meeting at the Omni Berkshire Place declined to comment on the proceedings. The key figures from both sides -- Stern, Silver and Litvin for the league and NBPA executive director Billy Hunter for the union -- did not comment beyond a joint statement released by the NBA. CBSSports.com

Roger Mason: Had the first meeting between the NBA owners and the NBPA today. Nothing to really report, but the meeting went well. Twitter.com

Ric Bucher: The hammer just came down, tweeps: ESPN memo prohibiting tweeting info unless it serves ESPN. Kinda figured this was coming. Twitter.com

The guidelines are more detailed than Bucher described them. But they restrict the freedom that ESPN employees might previously have enjoyed. “We’ve been in the social networking space for a long time, and will continue to be there,” said Chris LaPlaca, an ESPN spokesman. “But we want to be smarter about how we do it.” He said that Bucher’s “interpretation of the policy is mistaken.” New York Times

Ron Brown, a longtime Maine high school basketball coach and writer, died Tuesday from complications of kidney failure. The Castine native was a fixture on the eastern Maine basketball scene for more than 30 years, coaching at countless schools. Brown also coached in the CBA and was an NBA scout. Brown wrote “Simply the Best: The Cindy Blodgett Story,” a book that chronicled the rise to prominence of the state’s most heralded female high school basketball player, in addition to several coaching books. WMTW.com

Decades before LeBron James forced the NBA to change its player eligibility rules, Stanley "Loady" Brown skipped college to play professional basketball. As a junior at Southern High School in Philadelphia, Brown led his team to its second straight Public League championship in 1945, scoring 49 points in the final. News-Journal

Brown, a South Philadelphia native who moved to Dover about five years ago, died on Sunday at the age of 80. He had been hospitalized to undergo a second hip replacement but suffered a heart attack. Gabe Egan, who played with Brown at Southern, remembers him as one of the best players in the history of Philadelphia high school basketball. Egan said Brown could have excelled at football and baseball, as well. "I can say that he was the best player ever to come out of Southern," Egan said. "A great guy. He could shoot with any hand, under the basket, just a great all-around player. I used to guard him in practice, but it was tough. He could throw a football with either hand, but basketball was his sport." News-Journal

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