HoopsHype.com Rumors

Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Aaron Gray, Tony Battie and Theo Ratliff also are on the Knicks’ wish list. But in this condensed free-agency period and camp, the club probably will re-sign Jared Jeffries, who knows the system well despite his lack of impact late last season. New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Aaron Gray, Tony Battie, Theo Ratliff, Jared Jeffries 

The Knicks have a modest center wish list — considering they only want to offer one-year deals — with Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Tony Battie, Theo Ratliff and Aaron Gray. New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Aaron Gray, Tony Battie, Theo Ratliff 

Still, the league saw little downside in implementing the restrictions. It felt that requiring players to spend at least one season in college increased the odds of a home run and decreased the odds of a strikeout. The more the prospects played in college, the more info the teams had to make the right decision, the NBA reasoned. And as a side benefit they were easier to market as well. "The thinking was that LeBron would still be LeBron in college," one league executive told Insider. "But guys like Kwame [Brown] would be exposed or would get the experience they need to succeed in the league." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Draft, LeBron James, CBA, Kwame Brown, David Stern, NBPA 

Kobe Bryant: “I got to say, it was tough doing it that year. I was playing with guys, God bless them — God bless them — but Kwame Brown. Smush Parker. We had one game right before…by the way, what I say here, I say directly to them, see what I’m saying, I don’t talk behind people’s back. Things that I say to you, I’m comfortable saying this to them and I’ve said this to them...But like, the game before we traded for Pau, were playing Detroit and I had like 40 points towards the end of the game. This is back when Detroit had Rasheed [Wallace], Chauncey [Billups] and those guys, so we had no business being in the game. So down the stretch of the game, they put in a box and one. So I’m surrounded by these players, Detroit players, and Kwame is under the basket, all by himself. Literally, like all by himself. So I pass him the ball, he bobbled it and it goes out of bounds. Washington Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Kwame Brown, Smush Parker 

Kobe Bryant: “So we go back to the timeout and I’m [upset], right? He goes, ‘I was wide open.’ ‘Yeah, I know.’ This is how I’m talking to him, like, during the game. I said, ‘You’re going to be open again, Kwame, because Rasheed is just totally ignoring you.’ He said, ‘Well, if I’m open don’t throw it to me.’ I was like, ‘Huh?’ He said, ‘Don’t throw it to me.’ I said, ‘Why not?’ He said, well, ‘I’m nervous. If I catch it and he foul me, I won’t make the free throws.’ I said, ‘Hell no!’ “I go to Phil [Jackson], I say, ‘Hey Phil, take him out of the game.’ He’s like, ‘Nah, let him figure it out.’ So, we lose the game, I go the locker room, I’m steaming. Steaming. I’m furious. Then, finally I get a call, they said, ‘You know what, we got something that’s happening with Pau.’ I was like, ‘Alright. Cool.’…That’s what I had to deal with the whole year.” Washington Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Kwame Brown, Smush Parker 

Several NBA players from Atlanta are trying to put together a team to take on the other regional squads that have been assembled during the lockout. Josh Smith, Jarrett Jack, Anthony Morrow and Lou Williams have been working out together this summer and are hoping to assemble “Team Atlanta” in the near future. Eligible players would include Dwight Howard, J.J. Hickson, Al Thornton, Jordan Hill, Derrick Favors, Al-Farouq Aminu, Kwame Brown, Josh Powell, Jodie Meeks, Toney Douglas and Jarvis Hayes among others. HoopsWorld

Toney Douglas, Derrick Favors, Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Powell, Dwight Howard, Anthony Morrow, Jarrett Jack, Josh Smith, Kwame Brown, Lockout, Jarvis Hayes, Al Thornton, Jordan Hill 

Kwame Brown is on their radar after having a serviceable season with Charlotte (7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 51.7 percent shooting). Michael Jordan's former No. 1 draft bust is 6-11, 270 pounds and though he has hands of stone, he can defend, rebound and block shots -- the only Knicks requirements. New York Post

Charlotte Bobcats, New York Knicks, Kwame Brown 

Despite becoming an unrestricted free agent, 10-year veteran center Kwame Brown has been working out daily with the coaches, particularly Paul Silas. Much of the focus has been on improving Brown's shot release, in part to improve his foul-shooting and also to give him more options in the pick-and-roll. Silas' effort clearly leaves Brown wanting to re-sign here. "This is the first time in a long time that, with an organization, I feel like they want me here," said Brown, a former No. 1 overall pick on his first NBA team. "You want a coach like Paul, who loves to teach, not always yelling. I'm not saying Paul is a pushover, but the quality of time he spends with you and his people skills, you've got to have that when you draft young guys, or you shouldn't draft them." Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Kwame Brown 

Center Kwame Brown is the unrestricted free agent the Charlotte Bobcats would logically want back most. Coach Paul Silas has said he anticipates other teams pursuing Brown, which would drive up his price. Who knows what the future holds, but it’s obvious Brown enjoyed his season here and wants to come back. “I had success here – it’s the first time I played in a while. I saw an opportunity and I had a good time,’’ Brown said after cleaning out his locker the day after the season ended. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Free Agency, Kwame Brown 

Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas said after shootaround today he thinks there’s a strong possibility some team will make a significant, multi-year offer for center Kwame Brown once there’s a new collective bargaining agreement. Brown has had a good season, particularly as an improved scorer. He no longer looks like someone who would have to work season-to-season on a veteran-minimum deal. If Silas is right, then the Bobcats will have a tough decision to make, on whether Brown is important enough to shell out bigger dollars and more years to re-sign him. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Kwame Brown 

According to an eye witness at courtside, Howard was standing next to Bobcats center Kwame Brown when he shouted to Charlotte’s coaches, “Hey, wouldn’t I look great here next to Kwame? Twin Towers – Kwame and me.’’ Having heard this I got Bobcats coach Paul Silas aside after the game to confirm this happened. Before I could finish my question, Silas gave me a familiar grin and started laughing almost conspiratorially. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Jason Richardson, Paul Silas, Dwight Howard, Kwame Brown 

It’s safe to say that pro basketball has never before seen an owner like him. Jordan emphasized that earlier this spring when he laced up his sneakers to take on his own players. “He comes into practice, the level of play and the competition picks up,” observes Bobcats center Kwame Brown, who has his own history with MJ. “He’s talking noise, he’s joking. It’s good for him to be around because everybody wants to play hard. “You better play hard,” he adds with a knowing laugh. HoopsHype

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Kwame Brown 

Charlotte Bobcats centre Kwame Brown will miss four to six weeks after severely spraining his left ankle in a pickup game. Brown was injured Thursday in a workout before the start of training camp. TSN

Charlotte Bobcats, Kwame Brown 

Howard Beck: Bobcats say Kwame Brown out 4-6 weeks with 3rd-degree ankle sprain. Ankle was last seen getting verbally berated by Michael Jordan. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Kwame Brown 

Several of you emailed to check if specific players looked in-shape (Kwame Brown, for instance). From what I could tell Wednesday and Thursday, everyone is in good shape. That doesn't surprise me in Season III under Larry Brown, because he's a stickler about that and word travels. Mike Gminski, who played for Brown in New Jersey, told me when Larry took the job here that he has no tolerance for players who aren't in basketball shape. You could argue the contrary, concerning Boris Diaw perhaps, but Diaw has something else (a wide skill set) that is highly valuable in Brown's system. And Diaw did spend the summer playing for the French national team. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Larry Brown, Kwame Brown 

Dime: What do you think of the Kwame Brown signing? SJ: I’ve never played with him. I’ve heard a lot of good things and bad things about him, but I don’t judge people based on what newspapers and magazines say. I expect him to come in and be a good asset to this team. If we’re all on the same page we’ll be good. Dime

Charlotte Bobcats, Stephen Jackson, Kwame Brown 

With all that baggage, why would Brown come to Charlotte, where the old stories from Washington are sure to resurface? Why would Brown want to be asked again about being considered one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history? “I think a lot of people speculate about my relationship with Michael. But obviously, I’m here, so it can’t be as bad as you guys think,” Brown said. “It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to in Washington, but I’m excited about another chance to come out and turn this thing around.” Jordan, who rarely gives interviews, didn’t attend the media availability and wasn’t available for comment. “The funny thing about it is we’ve been talking about Kwame for two years now,” Higgins said. “Obviously, Michael has to sign off on the deal, so he was well-aware. He gave it his blessing, and we’re trying to go forward now.” Detroit Free Press

Charlotte Bobcats, Kwame Brown 

He had some okay years in Los Angeles, where he will most be remembered for throwing cake at Ronny Turiaf, but he has been an afterthought since he was dealt to Memphis for Gasol. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds last season in Detroit and doesn't even get booed as loudly at Verizon Center any more. In Charlotte, Brown is merely being asked to be a big body; to simply clog the paint and rebound. He's also making just $1.3 million, which is almost a third of what he made as a rookie. So, this isn't exactly a second, third or fifth chance, it's an opportunity for Brown to extend his career. If he plays big minutes, great. If he starts, wow. If he continues to do what he's been doing, okay. Washington Post

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Kwame Brown 

Jordan approved his arrival because neither side has anything to lose this time. Jordan's reputation is not on the line. Brown has accepted what his career has become. They are in different places now. Better places. No better time for a reunion. "We're always going to be linked. I might as well come here, right?" Brown said. "Now, I'm a grown man and I know a lot of the things I've done wrong and with maturity I can handle it a little bit differently." Washington Post

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Kwame Brown 

Jordan has told various confidantes that one of his frustrations with Kwame Brown was remarkably small hands that limited him offensively inside. Obviously the expectations are a lot lower now. I bet Nazr Mohammed (barring a trade) is the opening-day starter at center. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Nazr Mohammed, Kwame Brown