HoopsHype.com Rumors

David 'Dubi' Pick: Former NBA C Craig Smith, I'm told via league sources, was officially waived by Hapoel Jerusalem and departs for the US on Saturday. Twitter @IAmDPick

Free Agency, Craig Smith, Israel 

Hapoel Jerusalem forward Craig Smith could be traded to Maccabi Tel Aviv for Shawn James and cash. Walla Sport

Trade, Craig Smith, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem 

Smith, 28, is hoping that his next stint might revitalize his career, since he has never had a consistent role in his six seasons as an NBA player. He wanted to make sure he wouldn't endure such a season next year. “I feel good about my decision,” Smith told CSNNW.com. “To be honest, I was tired of being a roster filler. I didn't want to do that again. Teams would go after big free agents and I would have to wait until it was time for teams to fill out their rosters before I got a call. I didn't want to go through that again. I can play and I want to play now.” CSNNW.com

Craig Smith, Israel 

After spending last year with the Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith has signed to play for Hapoel Migdal in Jerusalem next season. Smith has spent six years in the NBA, but is looking forward to a new experience. “It’s something different,” said Smith. “It’s an opportunity to go somewhere that I think is a good setting for me, as far as getting the opportunity to play big minutes and show people that I can play.” “I think it’s going to be more a rebirth, which is cool, in a biblical sense, since it’s in Jerusalem,” continued Smith. “I’m excited about it and the ball club is excited about it. It was a good decision.” HoopsWorld

Craig Smith, Israel 

Chris Haynes: CSNNW has learned that former #Blazers F Craig Smith (The Rhino) is in preliminary talks with the Indiana Pacers. Nothing imminent. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, Craig Smith 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Kris Humphries future in Brooklyn unclear. Besides Antawn Jamison, Nets considering FA's Kenyon Martin, Craig Smith, sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Kris Humphries, Craig Smith, Antawn Jamison 

Craig Smith: Headed to the airport next city Chicago we gotta play better on both ends. Gotta make somethin happen. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith 

In August 2008, Smith got a second chance. Claudia bounced back in his life, and like a rebound at the Rose Garden, Smith pounced at the opportunity. She made the first move, a tap on the shoulder at a party. Soon, there was a string of dates. A host of late-night conversations. And a growing bond that led to that nervous moment this past New Year's Eve. "It's like a fairy tale," Smith says. "It's something you realize when you are young, that there's something about this person, but you don't really know what that feeling is because you are so young. Then once you get older, and you see that person again, it's like, oooooook. I get it. It's an unexplainable feeling." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith 

After dinner, the moment arrived. He started to read his note. "Man, I can't believe it's our third New Year together. We have been through so much and have learned a lot about each other, to the point where it feels like most people who have been in a relationship for six years can't compete with what we have. You truly have been a positive influence on me and I would like to thank you for that. Your spirit is truly one of a kind and I thank the Lord for granting an opportunity to have you in my life. Remember when I said when we were younger that I felt something but I didn't know what it was? I know what it is. I wanted you to be my wife ..." He then backed away from the table, and with a room of diners watching, he got on his knee and presented a box with a ring. He asked Claudia to marry him. "I started crying," Claudia said. "Is that a yes?" Smith remembers asking. She nodded her head. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith 

After dinner, the moment arrived. He started to read his note. "Man, I can't believe it's our third New Year together. We have been through so much and have learned a lot about each other, to the point where it feels like most people who have been in a relationship for six years can't compete with what we have. You truly have been a positive influence on me and I would like to thank you for that. Your spirit is truly one of a kind and I thank the Lord for granting an opportunity to have you in my life. Remember when I said when we were younger that I felt something but I didn't know what it was? I know what it is. I wanted you to be my wife ..." He then backed away from the table, and with a room of diners watching, he got on his knee and presented a box with a ring. He asked Claudia to marry him. "I started crying," Claudia said. "Is that a yes?" Smith remembers asking. She nodded her head. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith 

Jason Quick: Set to interview The Rhino's fiancee today, but she had to resked b/c she had to go grocery shopping in preparation for The Rhino's return. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith 

Jason Quick: Craig Smith now talks almost exclusively in the third person, referring to himself as "Rhino." In pregame he used it with Buck Williams Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith 

Mike Tokito: LaMarcus Aldridge on what Craig Smith brings: "For me, he brings rest. Much-needed rest." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Craig Smith, LaMarcus Aldridge 

Joel Przybilla has been rumored to be an option for the Blazers before they added two veteran big men in Kurt Thomas and Craig Smith. At this time, Buchanan says Przybilla is not a point of focus. He's not an option right now” Buchanan said. “Obviously our stance can change if something comes up at the last minute, but we're not pursuing anything at this moment.” CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas, Craig Smith, Joel Przybilla 

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to terms with forward Craig Smith. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Smith, 28, has averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in five seasons with Minnesota and the L.A. Clippers. “Craig is a guy who will bring us some interior scoring and toughness around the hole,” said Trail Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “He is a player who is hungry to experience the playoffs and we hope that Craig can help us get back to the postseason again this year.” NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Craig Smith 

Joe Freeman: A source with the #Blazers confirms that the team has signed free agent forward Craig Smith. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Craig Smith 

Joe Freeman: #Blazers source says Smith's deal will feature a guarantee this season. That means the team will have waive a player before the first game. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Craig Smith 

Craig Smith: Portland here I come @MarcusCamby23 I'm on my way foooool! Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Craig Smith 

Craig Smith: Just wanna thank all the clippers fan for supporting me im going to miss ya. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Craig Smith 

But apparently, the battle for bragging rights was enough to convince Gay that he would participate in the next show to determine which coast has the best players. After weeks of wrangling and tense negotiations, the Goodman League-Drew League rematch will finally take place on Sunday at Long Beach State University and Goodman League commissioner Miles Rawls confirmed that Gay would join forces with Durant, Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Michael Beasley, Sam Young and Donte Greene. Gay, Durant and Wall are also expected to participate in another exhibition game hosted by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on Saturday at Florida International University in Miami, but Rawls said all three would complete the difficult back-to-back set. They will meet a fired-up Drew League team eager for revenge and featuring Harden, Jennings, Nick Young, Derrick Williams, DeMar Derozan, Dorell Wright, Craig Smith, Marcus Banks and Ryan Hollins. Washington Post

LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, DeMarcus Cousins, Craig Smith, Dorell Wright, DeMar DeRozan, Nick Young, Lockout, Ryan Hollins, Marcus Cousin, Sam Young, Donte Greene, Marcus Banks, Derrick Williams, Drew League, Goodman League