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Tuesday, September 22

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Restricted free agency is only getting tougher, and Bobcats guard Raymond Felton is the latest to figure that out. After discussing a long-term deal last week, talks between Felton and Charlotte have broken down, and multiple sources now say that rather than continuing negotiations, Felton will simply sign the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer put forth by the Bobcats. Sporting News

“Raymond is just ready to put the focus back on basketball,” Felton’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, said. “He doesn’t want any of this to affect the team at the start of training camp. So, we’ll look forward to him having a great season, the Bobcats having a great season and we will talk more with the organization when it is appropriate.” Sporting News

Ross Siler: It could be the end of an era in Utah. All indications are that the Jazz and Matt Harpring have determined Harpring won't play this season. Twitter.com

Ross Siler: After eight seasons with the Jazz, Jarron Collins is heading to training camp next week with Portland. Twitter.com

HOOPSWORLD has learned that Chucky Atkins and the Minnesota Timberwolves are about to part company. Atkins, who has a partially-guaranteed deal, landed in Minnesota as part of a deal in which he and Damien Wilkins were sent to the Timberwolves and Etan Thomas and two future second round draft picks went to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, at Atkins' request, a financial settlement has been reached between himself and the Timberwolves that will result in his being waived. HoopsWorld.com

The Wolves on Tuesday waived veteran guard Chucky Atkins, agreeing to pay him the due $760,000 for a $3.48 million contract that was most non-guaranteed. That cost savings is why Kahn traded Etan Thomas and two future second-round picks to Oklahoma City in late July for Atkins and Damien Wilkins. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Atkins will then spend 48 hours on the waiver wire, after which he can sign with any interested team. It's been suggested that the Orlando, Florida native might land in camp with the Magic, though the Miami HEAT might be a more likely destination. The HEAT have been looking for a veteran point guard and Atkins fills that bill nicely. Over the course of his career, when he's been able to play significant minutes, Atkins has been a serviceable starter, and among the better reserve point guards in the league. He averaged 13.6 points and 4.4 assists as a starter for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004-05, and 13.2 points and 4.6 assists per game as a part-time starter for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006-07. HoopsWorld.com

The Bulls formally announced the re-signing of third-year reserve center Aaron Gray on Tuesday. The move had been expected for months and reported as such. Gray signed a one-year deal worth roughly $1 million. Chicago Tribune

With little wiggle room left on the roster less than a week before training camp, the Rockets traded guard James White to Denver, largely to give him a better chance to stick with an NBA team, a person with knowledge of the move said Tuesday. The Rockets will receive the draft rights to Axel Hervelle, a 6-9 power forward from Belgium. Hervelle will likely remain with Real Madrid, where he is a teammate with guard Sergio Llull, a Rockets’ second-round acquisition in June. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 21 minutes per game last season. Houston Chronicle

“I might end up with egg on my face. And if he turns out to be great, I’m not sure anybody will pat me on the back. But there’s no way I wasn’t going to try to get Allen Iverson,” Heisley said this afternoon during a talk with the Memphis Rotary Club. “Allen Iverson will be a big asset to this team. I’m willing to put myself out on this.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

No one, though, is a bigger Iverson enthusiast these days than Heisley. The Grizzlies’ billionaire boss is even optimistic that this so-called marriage of convenience will last more than one season. Iverson inked a one-year, $3.09 million deal after it became apparent that he’d run out of NBA options. Heisley seemed unfazed by the circumstances and three-month pursuit, and agreed to add $600,000 worth of bonuses — tied to team wins — into Iverson’s contract. “Allen is going to bring a lot of spirit to Memphis,” Heisley said. “He’s only interested in one thing: winning. We need to make these young guys understand that there is no substitute for winning in the NBA. If it’s a good experience for him and for us, it might last more than one year. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Although the Grizzlies’ interest in Iverson began with Heisley’s strong insistence, Heisley contends he never would have sealed the deal without consent from general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins. Heisley, Wallace and Hollins met with Iverson in Atlanta a few days before the signing was announced. “Never have I made a player decision and basically forced it on the organization,” Heisley said. Memphis Commercial Appeal

You could sign a contract extension this fall or you could test free agency next summer when a number of teams will be looking to buy talent. Is that an enticing possibility? Rajon Rondo: That could be, but it's still early so I've got some time to see how things settle in Boston. If it doesn't, I'll play out the fourth year and see how things go next summer. SI.com: Is it safe to assume you'd prefer to stay with the Celtics? Rajon Rondo: If the Celtics want me, then I'd be happy to stay. SI.com

Your name was bandied about in trade rumors around draft time. What were your thoughts about that? Rajon Rondo: It seems like there's only been about five different guys who have been with one team their entire career, so there's always a possibility, especially for a guy of my caliber, to get traded. I'm sure if the Celtics had the opportunity to get a better point guard and not have to give up much ... you never know. But that's the business. I want to be wherever I'm wanted. I love being in Boston, but whoever wants me that's who I'm happy to play for. SI.com

The lead negotiator for locked-out NBA referees finds it "amazing" that a former referee at the center of a controversial job action nearly six years ago is on the league's preliminary list of replacement officials. Michael Henderson is the referee in question, and the league's locked-out officials are particularly steamed that he might be wearing a whistle around his neck again after they stuck out their necks to support him earlier this decade. ESPN.com

"On that night, all but two referees risked their jobs -- their jobs were being threatened at that very moment that they were going out to stand up for him by reversing their jerseys and putting his number on their jerseys," referees' union lead negotiator Lamell McMorris said. "They went out even though they were risking their jobs, and it's just absolutely amazing that now he is going to go and replace them." ESPN.com

With Rasheed now in Boston, do you have any concern on how all the big personalities will fit together? Rajon Rondo: KG and Rasheed are pretty close friends. And Paul [Pierce] and Ray [Allen] flew out to Rasheed's house with Doc and Danny [to recruit him]. But as far as having egos, they should have them; they've earned them, they're All-Stars. The younger guys just have to follow, and I have to be the first young guy to follow and lead by example. SI.com

You mentioned Doc wanted you to be more of a leader. Danny Ainge made some headlines over the summer by saying he wanted you to offer more leadership and grow up in some cases. Were you surprised to hear his comments? Rajon Rondo: I wasn't surprised. If he feels that way, then I have to pay attention and grow. SI.com: Were Ainge's comments fair? Could you have handled some things better last season? Rajon Rondo: Maybe on the court ... [when] a possession or two may go by and I'm frustrated about the game, and things aren't going well for me, I may get quiet or shut down, I may not talk as much on the defensive end and call out all the sets and all the screens. But I still have to call the plays and not be difficult in front of my teammates. I'm my harshest critic. If I can keep the team first whether I'm playing well or poorly and help us win, then my game doesn't really matter. SI.com

Drafted right behind Rubio in June, Flynn expected to share time at point guard with the Spanish 18-year-old besides playing alongside him occasionally in a small and quick backcourt. As disappointed as the Timberwolves are that Rubio will be staying in Spain for at least the next two seasons, Flynn had to be pleased with the side benefits, right? Not so fast. "Especially for a guy like me, he can make me so much better," Flynn told the Associated Press. "I would have sat here and learned from him. I would have taken things out of his game and put them into my game. "You definitely lose something that could have made our team better. But that's the decision he made and I guess we're just going to have to wait for maybe two years until he comes over here." CBSSports.com

Mike Jones: Flip on deciding starting shooting guard position: "We're going to do reality TV and let people vote them off." Twitter.com

Jonathan Feigen: Luis Scola looked good at TC today. Team thought he should take it easy, but he said no, it has been a week and a half since his last game. Twitter.com

Everyone is in working out already except for Eduardo Najera, but he should be in New Jersey soon. Bergen Record

Nate Robinson: Workouts here today, hope my boy gabe pruit makes the team! Twitter.com

The Dallas Mavericks say forward Tim Thomas has had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The procedure was done Tuesday by the team's orthopedic surgeon, but a timetable has not been set for his return. Thomas was hurt while working out at his home in California. ESPN.com

Chucky Brown was named on Monday as coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders after serving as an assistant coach with the NBA Development League team for its first three seasons. Brown succeeds Dan Panaggio, the D-Fenders' coach for their first three seasons. The D-Fenders were 19-31 in the 2008-2009 season, finishing fifth in the six-team West Division. Long Beach Press-Telegram

On his blog, Mikhail Prokhorov confirms he is in serious negotiations with the Nets to finance Barclays Center and gain control of the team. In return for financing the arena, Prokhorov wants control for “a symbolic price”–probably $1. The Russian billionaire also wants to be able to use the Nets to train Russia’s basketball players and place “Russia’s leading coaches and managers in the NBA.” He added he expects negotiations to “move forward.” Meanwhile scrutiny of the deal continues. NetsDaily.com

Smush Parker, who played his last season of basketball in Guang Dong, China is back in New York and he stopped by 21 Mercer to make his own run/collection of Nike iD Air Force 1 Low Premium MX sneakers. Smush created twelve different pairs of the iD AF1 Low Premium MX’s using the twelve different tonal colors available at the Nike iD space inside of 21 Mercer. Each pair uses White on the Swoosh and a clear Ice outsole with a visible heel air unit. None of these pairs will make it to retail, however if you like one of the colorways Smush created enough, you can drop by 21 Mercer and create your own pair. SneakerNews.com

Ramona Shelburne: In case you wanna get LO and Khloe a wedding present, they are registered at Geary's and Willams Sonoma. Twitter.com

The Heat has extended coach Erik Spoelstra's contract in the wake of Spoelstra and all the employees in basketball operations, including president Pat Riley, accepting voluntary pay cuts to eliminate the need for layoffs. Miami Herald

We're getting word tonight that the Knicks are engaged in talks with the respective representations of both restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson. There is little doubt both players will be signed and ready for training camp, which opens next Tuesday in Saratoga. It was predetermined that both players will receive one-year deals, but at this point no financial terms have been set just yet. Newsday

The Knicks are working toward finalizing one-year contracts for David Lee and Nate Robinson. "I don't want to say that we're close but we're trying to get something done," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said Monday. New York Daily News

Day after day veteran free agent Jerry Stackhouse turns heads during these informal workouts. I haven’t found a player yet that isn’t convinced that he could help this Hawks team this season as versatile specialists off the bench. Whether or not that connection ever comes to fruition is obviously not up to said players or any of us around here. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Gopher guard Vincent Grier has been invited to training camp by the Washington Wizards, agent Bill McCandless told HoopsHype.com. Grier, who averaged 10.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Cholet of France last season, went to camp with the Heat two years ago. He was the last player cut by Miami before the start of the regular season. HoopsHype.com

Keith Bogans, the 29-year-old journeyman guard who spent the final 29 games of last season playing with Jefferson in Milwaukee, has agreed to a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum of $1.03 million to join the Spurs. Bogans, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, has averaged 7.5 points over a five-year career that includes stints with seven teams. He averaged 5.6 points in 65 games last season, split between the Magic and the Bucks. San Antonio Express-News

Manu Ginobili: Looks like we've just signed Keith Bogans! Welcome to the family, man! Twitter.com

Despite being away from his teammates for such a prolonged period, Beasley often found himself in the company of the Heat coaching staff. "We had a coach there every day with him," Spoelstra said. "I went there three times. So he's actually in great physical condition right now." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The team's training staff, in fact, gave Beasley the conditioning test that will be conducted Friday for the rest of the roster. "He already passed it and pretty much blew it away," said Spoelstra, who also said Beasley has gained 10 pounds of muscle while lowering his body fat. "So he's ahead of schedule." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Pardon Ron Artest if he's a bit geographically challenged and had no idea that San Diego has a big league baseball team, even though he was wearing a Padres cap. This much he's sure of -- If his Los Angeles Lakers don't repeat as NBA champions, fans can point their fingers at him. "They should. That's exactly what should happen if we don't repeat," the star forward said during a visit to promote the Lakers' exhibition game against the Denver Nuggets at the San Diego Sports Arena on Oct. 23. "They won last year, and I'm the new addition. The fans expect to repeat. Everybody in L.A. expects a second ring. And if we don't then yeah, they should point it right at me, throwing tomatoes and everything." ESPN.com

"It makes me more excited, gives me a better understanding of what jersey I'm actually putting on," Artest said. "So today I decided to wear the black Kobe Bryant jersey, because he is the 'Black Mamba,' and I'm really happy to be a part of this team and I'm really excited just to be an addition, an asset, to the guy, to the [Derek] Fishers and the [Andrew] Bynums and all the rest of the players." ESPN.com

"And I'm also here to say that next year I'll be trying out for the San Diego Chargers, so I look forward to that. Hopefully I can play some baseball. Is there a baseball team here?" ESPN.com

"Every year since I've been in the NBA I've set goals," the 1.83m (6 ft) point guard Paul told Reuters on Monday after reading his book "Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big," to children at New York's NBA Store. "As a rookie, it was to be Rookie of the Year, make the rookie All-Star game. Then be an All Star, be first-team NBA, be All-Defense. I've done all that stuff. "Going into this season none of that is my goal. My only goal is to win a championship." Reuters

Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo yesterday dismissed suggestions that Turkoglu played poorly at EuroBasket 2009, which was held in Poland, but did acknowledge that his prize off-season acquisition looked tired. “International play has always been more of a team game, less individual, so statistics are less of an indication than what he actually contributed,” said Colangelo. “I watched him play, and would say he effectively deferred to others on his team, as he was often the target of defensive schemes. “Having said that,” Colangelo added, “he did appear physically and emotionally tired when I saw him last week, which is understandable given his late June NBA Finals appearance and mid-July training for the Euro championship.” Toronto Sun

As Mike Barrett previously noted, Brandon has dropped a noticeable amount of weight. Now you can see for yourself in the first (albeit somewhat blurry) pictures of the new-look Brandon Roy to hit the internet. BlazersEdge.com

Ben Golliver: Kevin Pritchard said today getting Rudy Fernandez more minutes would be a priority this season. Twitter.com

Ben Golliver: today Kevin Pritchard upgraded Jerryd Bayless from "the hardest worker I've ever seen" to "probably the hardest worker in the league." Twitter.com

Ben Golliver: who do you think will have a breakout season this year like nic batum did last year? Kevin Pritchard: "nic batum" (again). Twitter.com

Chris Bosh: Heading back to Toronto tomorrow, it's almost that time! Twitter.com

Jermaine O'Neal: I just finished up with my last full workout at attack with tim grover and i can honestly say that "I AM READY" PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY! Twitter.com

Allen Iverson: I think God has given me the chance to be champions this season. Even last year, with the tough year I had, I always thought I had the shot. El Mundo Deportivo

Allen Iverson: Philadelphia has the best fans that I've ever seen. The level of loyalty to the team there is bigger than with other teams. El Mundo

From the minute Jamal Crawford hit the door Monday all eyes were on the Hawks’ newest addition (well, so to speak). And he didn’t disappoint, not that anything he could have done would have disappointed the crowd of players, many of them his new teammates, hoping to get a glimpse of him in Hawks’ practice duds. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“If you look at us on paper, you know we should be pretty good,” Williams said, “but so far I’d have to say it looks even better than I thought. It’s impressive. It’s different. Everybody knows what Jamal is capable of. And Jeff can play, man. I don’t know any other way of saying it, he can just play. And it’ll be exciting when we get everybody in here and see how the pieces fit. I truly believe we are going to be one of the most explosive teams in the league.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“They’re going to be (expletive) good this year,” said a visiting pro from another NBA team. “You throw JC and Joe Smith and this kid [Jeff] Teague, and they’ve got some wrinkles now that they didn’t have last season. They were already a dangerous team and now they’re really dangerous. And knowing these fans down here and what they like, they’re going to love the style this team can play. They’re going to love JC.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Who is the X-Factor for the Wizards this season? And let’s pretend that the DCLS didn’t already bestow this honor upon you…. Nick Young: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m gonna say I have to be the X-Factor, cuz I think they need me right now. If I’m doing my shine on, everything’s flowin’, we lookin’ good right now, you know, I’m gonna be that little sparkplug, I should be alright........I come with a highlight dunk that get the whole gym going, it should be good you know. DC Landing Strip

Does Gil still talk as much smack? Nick Young: Yeah, he’s still Gil. He got even worse now in the summer. He’s calling me every day and telling me about a move he did on somebody and how they feel and all that, so it sounds like he’s back. DC Landing Strip

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With a week to go until the start of training camp, the Milwaukee Bucks are taking a cautious approach with center Andrew Bogut as he continues to rehabilitate his ailing lower back in preparation for the upcoming season. It remains unclear how much Bogut will be able to participate in the training camp that will open next Tuesday at the team's practice facility. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Bogut made an appearance at the team's annual golf outing Monday at the Ozaukee Country Club and admitted that his frustration level had run high at times as he tries to come back from an injury that sidelined him for 43 games - including the final 31 - last season. "I still have a ways (to go)," he said. "But in saying I have a ways to go . . . it's going to be an everyday thing for me for the rest of my life to keep my back strong. It's not going to be like, OK, now that I've rehabbed my core and have gotten it strong, I can just get back to playing basketball. "That's probably the most tricky part for people who have these injuries . . . rehab the hell out of it and get back and then a week or two weeks or three or four, you feel 100% and you feel you can (conquer) the world and can kind of forget about the things you were rehabbing. . . . Probably the biggest focus that I have is just making sure that I stay on top of things. There's still discomfort. It's something that's probably going to bug me this whole season and probably the rest of my life." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Obviously, he is frustrated that he is not back at 100% yet. "I don't like to miss games and practices," he said. "There are a lot of people that will say, 'You're still getting paid' or 'Maybe he's not rehabbing as he should.' . . . It has nothing to do with that. It's just a frustrating time. It's a frustrating time as an athlete. It's frustrating for fans and frustrating for everybody. I definitely want to be out on the floor. That's the competitive edge that you lose, that you kind of miss. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

McMillan could have had a longer contract extension than one year. Owner Paul Allen and General Manager Kevin Pritchard are happy with the work McMillan has done as he enters his fifth season at the helm. McMillan prefers to go at it one year at a time, in the same fashion as Walter Alston did with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I feel great about the extension, getting that extra year added on,” McMillan says. “But that hasn’t been an issue for me. My focus is this team and where we are and where we want to go. “If my coaching staff and I do what we need to do to keep improving, the contract situation will take care of itself.” Portland Tribune

McMillan agreed to another three-year commitment with the U.S. national team. He had served on Mike Krzyzewski’s staff as an assistant coach from 2006-08 and was aboard as the team earned a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. McMillan was also given a one-year extension on his contract with the Blazers, taking him through the 2010-11 season. I was surprised McMillan re-upped with the U.S. team through 2012. Did he want to spend three weeks in London that badly? “There’s some unfinished business there,” McMillan says. “We need to win the (2010) world championships.” Portland Tribune

“I talked with Mr. Colangelo and Coach K and the rest of the staff about coming back,” McMillan says. “One of the things we want to do is win the world championship, and it’s another opportunity for me to represent my country. It’s no different than a player doing it a second time. “The first time, it was good for me to be able to work with great coaches and some of the best players in the world. To be asked to be a part of it again was an honor.” Portland Tribune

Thomas will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today. "It's minor," Thomas said. "I'm going to take my time and get back. And once I get back, I look forward to joining the guys and going after the ultimate goal, which is a championship." Asked how he hurt the knee, he said: "Working out. I can't ice skate." Dallas Morning News

NBA owners and players return to the bargaining table Wednesday in Manhattan, hoping to continue the good vibes from their first negotiating session. While owners and players called their first meeting on Aug. 4 "productive and cordial," no proposals were made. The two sides exchanged financial information, with owners continuing to paint a lousy economic forecast. Due to the economic climate, players believe that owners, at some point, will demand major changes to the current system that guarantees players 57% of basketball-related income and runs for two more seasons. New York Daily News

"Maybe the optimism will change once we get into that type of conversation," said the Lakers' Derek Fisher, president of the Players Association, after the first session. "But it's very evident that everyone in the room has the same goal: That's to keep trying to grow the game into the No.1 sport in the world." New York Daily News

The 76ers, a week away from the start of training camp, are without a vice president of marketing. A source confirmed that the team let marketing VP Eric Blankenship go sometime in the last 2 weeks. As to why, Sixers publicist Mike Preston would only say: "We don't discuss personnel decisions in the front office. That has been our policy." Philadelphia Daily News

Once inside, Wade was shown to a reserved section that was set apart from the crowd but still allowed access for guests. Sipping on bottled water (he has been on the record many times stating his abstinence from alcohol), Wade personally invited select partygoers into his section to snap photos and sign autographs. After a little face time with the charming basketball star, most felt the wait was definitely worth it. Chicago Sun-Times

When Khloe Kardashian gets married to Lamar Odom on Sunday -- TMZ has learned she's planning on tying the knot in front of the entire Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. Sources close to the situation tell us every member of Lamar's team got an invite to the "secret" wedding -- including Kobe Bryant. We're also told all of the Lakers coaches were invited to the event. TMZ.com

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