HoopsHype.com Rumors

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent forward Shelden Williams, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. “We are pleased to add Shelden to our roster,” said King. “He is a proven veteran who will add depth to our frontcourt rotation.” NBA.com

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, Billy King, Shelden Williams, New Jersey 

The Dallas Mavericks are closing in on reuniting Vince Carter with his former New Jersey teammate Jason Kidd, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. The full financial terms of the agreement weren't immediately known, but sources said Dallas was discussing a multiyear contract with Carter and hoped to have him signed by Saturday. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, New Jersey 

Caron Butler, one of the most pursued small forwards in this year’s free-agent class, privately considers the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls as his two most preferred destinations, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Butler is most attracted to the Bulls because of the chance to play with Derrick Rose(notes) and compete for a title, but he would have to take significantly less money to play in Chicago. The Bulls have a stronger need for a shooting guard and could ultimately spend their money there. Ultimately, that leaves the Clippers with an edge over the New Jersey Nets among the suitors with the most significant cap space and a need for a starting small forward. Yahoo! Sports

Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles, Derrick Rose, Caron Butler, New Jersey 

Atlanta Hawks free-agent guard Jamal Crawford has received interest from Indiana, New Jersey, Portland, Phoenix, New Orleans and Chicago, a league source told Yahoo! Sports. Crawford also hasn’t ruled out returning to the Hawks. Veterans Joe Johnson and Al Horford have told management they’d like to see Crawford re-sign. Yahoo! Sports

Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Jamal Crawford, New Jersey 

Newark's own Shaquille O'Neal is pushing for an NBA franchise in his native city -- and has engaged in talks with the league about the possibility. "Hopefully we can bring a team back to my hometown of Newark, New Jersey, and we have some talks going on now," O'Neal said Thursday on SportsCenter, adding that he'd "love to own an NBA team." ESPN.com

Shaquille O'Neal, New Jersey 

You’ve talked about owning a team someday. Do you still want to do that? Shaquille O'Neal: Yes. And I’m looking forward to bringing a team to Newark. I haven’t spoken to Mayor Booker about it yet, but I’m working on it. I know Newark can support an N.B.A. team. And I’m going to be one of the guys that’s going to bring a team there.　 New York Times

Shaquille O'Neal, New Jersey 

A 19-year-old Elizabeth man who worked as private security guard pleaded guilty Tuesday to making hoax threats to blow up the Secaucus offices of an affiliate of the National Basketball Association. Jose L. Quesada Jr. admitted to U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares that he made the threatening calls with his cellphone over a period of days beginning July 26. At the time, Quesada was employed as a security guard for NBA Properties Inc., at 100 Plaza Drive. He admitted leaving multiple voice mail messages saying that he was going to blow up the building and kill people. Bergen Record

Law, New Jersey 

The NBA Draft will be held in New Jersey for the first time since 1996. Newark's Prudential Center will host the event on June 23, 2011. Commissioner David Stern was on hand Wednesday night for the Nets' opener against the Detroit Pistons to make the announcement with Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker and New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek. "This is a remarkable venue," Stern said of the Prudential Center. "It's a state-of-the-art facility that is justifiably a source of great pride for Newark, New Jersey." HoopsWorld

Draft, David Stern, New Jersey 

Stern said the $500 million summer renovations to Madison Square Garden, where the draft has been held since 2001, may have prompted the league to look for other venues, but also credited Newark for making a strong push to become the host. Other cities will have the opportunity to acquire the draft in future seasons, Stern said. "We're going to negotiate with the Garden and the mayor (Booker)," Stern said. "This is for this year and we don't have a draft facility. We don't have a place to hold the next draft. "I think the Garden (will be renovated) for a couple of summers," he continued. "But we do have a lot of attractive offers, so we don't want to give it up to the mayor quite yet." HoopsWorld

Draft, David Stern, Madison Square Garden, New Jersey