HoopsHype.com Rumors

David 'Dubi' Pick: Can't believe #NBA ROY Kyrie Irving nearly signed lockout deal w/Ashkelon. Prominent Israeli agent & team sources confirmed, deal was $25k. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Israel, Kyrie Irving 

Being just moments away from the NBA Playoffs and despite the fact that League teams are far from announcing their 2012-13 preseason game schedules, it seems that Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Super League, will make another appearance across the Atlantic for a pair of preseason scrimmages. Eurobasket received notice that Haifa, owned by American businessman and Fla. resident, Jeff Rosen, is undergoing advanced scrimmage planning with the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies, for hosting the Israeli squad somewhere between Oct. 10th and 21st, 2012. High sources close to Haifa's management confirmed the information to Eurobasket. Eurobasket.com

Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Israel 

Jordan Farmar will likely play with Israeli NT in Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia. The Nets guard almost reached an agreement with Israeli Basketball Federation to wear the NT jersey from Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia. Sportando

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Israel 

David Pick: Israeli Bball Association pursuing Jewish NBA guard Jordan Farmar (@JordanFarmar2) for '13 NT campaign. Insurance coverage isn't an issue Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Israel 

EB REVEALS BNEI HASHARON'S LIST of big men, prior to signing Demetrius Alexander: Melvin Ely, Brian Skinner, Marcus Goree, Terence Morris, Brandon Hunter, Kenny Edeleke, Lee Nailon, Brooks Sales, Deon Thompson & John Thomas! Twitter

Melvin Ely, Israel, Brian Skinner 

Dubi Pick: Sean Williams had a $100k NBA buy-out language in his contract w/Haifa. Though not sure he fully used it, Haifa officially released his LOC Twitter

Free Agency, Sean Williams, Israel 

Adrian Wojnarowski: With center Sean Williams bailing on Maccabi Haifa contract for "personal reasons," expect NBA deal on horizon. Mavs wouldn't be a surprise. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Sean Williams, Israel 

Emiliano Carchia: Former NBA player Sean Williams leaves Israeli team Maccabi Haifa for personal reasons. He averaged 12.8ppg and 7.9rpg. Via @Dubi Pick Twitter

Sean Williams, Israel 

Having been a role player during most of his professional career, Farmar thrived in Maccabi after he became one of the team's pillars in the Euroleague. "I very much contemplate the possibility of returning to Europe one day because I learnt so much playing here, a different style of basketball," Farmar told Reuters after Maccabi's 74-71 defeat at Partizan Belgrade on Thursday. "Not having this opportunity before, I never knew what it was all about and in my mind the NBA was always the only option. "Knowing that there is such high-level basketball in Europe, where the game is a a lot faster and more physical than in the NBA, will give me more options when the time comes to make a decision to move on." Eurosport

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Farmar had 15 points and 13 assists in the win over Cedevita, which raised Maccabi's record to 8-0 in the Adriatic League. He leads Maccabi in scoring and assists in both Adriatic League play (13.2 points, 6.2 assists) and Euroleague league play (14.7 points, 4.3 assists). "It's been a great experience, for me, personally, off the floor, to live somewhere away from home, and get a chance to see my family grow by just being together. No matter where we are in the world, we'll be fine. And then, basketball-wise, it was a great opportunity for me to play basketball the way I know how. I got a chance to do what I do well -- for the first time, really, in my career.'' Farmar knows when he returns to the Nets, he'll take a back seat to Deron Williams, who also played overseas during the lockout and also excelled. Williams, who played for Besiktas, in Turkey, averaged 21.8 points per game, and 6.5 assists, and scored 50 in a game against a German team last week. The Nets' third point guard, Sundiata Gaines, also played overseas, in Georgia. Newark Star-Ledger

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Farmar was asked if he would ever consider returning to Israel to play in the future. He said he would. "When I become a free agent, if the situation is right, I'm comfortable here,'' he said. "I know my family can live here and get along and feel good.'' Newark Star-Ledger

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: Source confirms: Jordan Farmar leaves Israel & WON'T play vs Haifa. Papaloukas held a 1-on-1 convo w/Blatt during practice & will suit up Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel 

Dubi Pick: Slim to no chance at all Jordan Farmar plays w/Maccabi @ Haifa on Monday. Obstacle seems to be his POSSIBLE Tuesday flight to LA LA Land Twitter

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: Valuable Friendships: @Ekpe Udoh's stepping up & playing for Bnei tonight before flying bk to the US. Org. applauds his decision #BaylorBears Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Ekpe Udoh, Lockout, Israel 

The departure of the New Jersey Nets guard will leave a massive void at Maccabi, with Farmar leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and minutes in the Euroleague this season. “This has been an experience which changed my life,” Farmar said on Saturday. “I feel like I’m a better person and a better player for this experience.” Jerusalem Post

Brooklyn Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: 1 Mid level & 2 Bottom ranked Israeli @LotoLeague teams will make much needed roster changes "very soon" including 1 NBAer in the mix... Twitter

Lockout, Israel 

As a player representative for the Nets, Farmar keeps on top of the labor situation and fully supports the decision of the players' union, which last week rejected a proposal from the owners calling for a 50-50 split of basketball related income that would have provided for a 72-game season to start in mid-December. "I understand what we are going through and the points we are fighting for," Farmar said. "The ground we made over the past labor negotiations, to give them back now is a tough thing to swallow." "A lot of guys want to be out there playing and I am one of them. I am in a different situation because I have a comfortable situation here, although there is still nothing like having a job that you are familiar with." YNetNews.com

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Once NBA play resumes, Farmar sees an improved Nets team after struggling in recent seasons. He sees the new arena being built in Brooklyn as a new beginning that would lure free agents. "I don't see (the Nets) struggling for too much longer. They are headed in the right direction and Avery Johnson is a hell of a coach," he said. "I have a lot of confidence the Nets will be very good in the future." YNetNews.com

New Jersey Nets, Jordan Farmar, Lockout, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: Bnei Hasharon sign its THIRD NBAer during the lockout as the GSW power forward Ekpe Udoh replaces Trevor Booker & JJ Hickson (Deal's w/OUT) Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Ekpe Udoh, Lockout, Israel 

Dubi Pick: Sources trying to land Jazz's Earl Watson in Israel with @hjerusalem say Watson turned down both Jerusalem's & a $500,000 Chinese offer Twitter

Utah Jazz, Earl Watson, Lockout, Israel, China