HoopsHype.com Rumors

Israeli NBA star Omri Casspi, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has bought a seafront apartment in Netanya for an estimated NIS 2.3 million. The 23-year old basketball player is due to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv in this season if the NBA lockout continues. Globes.co.il

Cleveland Cavaliers, Omri Casspi, Israel 

The well-regarded Ramon Sessions is also on the books in Cleveland for two more seasons at a cap-friendly salary and Daniel Gibson is coming off his best season. Sources say that the Cavs, furthermore, regard re-signing Anthony Parker as a priority, with Parker earmarked to play a lot of shooting guard to free up minutes at small forward for the newly acquired Omri Casspi. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Anthony Parker, Ramon Sessions, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Daniel Gibson 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: #Cavs swingman Omri Casspi is believed to be weiging two overseas options: Maccabi Tel Aviv or a team in Italy. Neither is finalized. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Italy, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Marc Stein: Sources say Cavs' Casspi HASN'T signed anything yet. But his plan, as reported, IS to join Maccabi TA in JAN if entire NBA season canceled Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel 

According to Ma'ariv Sports Newspaper, #Cavs swingman Omri Casspi in preliminary talks with Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli league. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Hapoel Jerusalem 

Ricky Rubio has arrived. Well, sort of. He left Spain for Los Angeles last week and is there seeing the sights -- Malibu and Santa Monica last weekend -- while working out daily with NBA players. Yesterday, he played pickup ball on a team with Pacers star Danny Granger, Chicago's Joakim Noah, Utah rookie Enes Kanter and Cavs forward Omri Casspi. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Danny Granger, Ricky Rubio, Lockout, Joakim Noah, Omri Casspi, Enes Kanter 

Dubi Pick: High affiliated team source confirms to EB that @Omri Casspi doesn't want to play for J'slm, but ASHKELON. Club owner says money isn't an issue Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: Can find no evidence #Cavs' Omri Casspi has signed with an Israeli club. Not saying his reps aren't trying to negotiate one . . . Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: A Hapoel team source Ma'ariv Sports Newspaper: "We'll be happy to see Omri here, but there's no negotiations right now." #Cavs Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: Two other Israeli teams contacted by Ma'ariv said they don't have the money to sign Casspi. #Cavs Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel 

Omri Casspi is again in talks with Maccabi Tel Aviv. One.co.il

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Dubi Pick: Clearing up the @Casspi18 rumor: Sources very close to the player tell EB Maccabi made the contact, no #'s are yet to be discussed & the tax issue is a none factor.... Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

Omri Casspi: Time to make some important decisions... Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi 

Omri Casspi: Productive day in Vegas, had great workouts at the gym today. Back at it tomorrow. Twitter

Omri Casspi 

Omri Casspi: Wondering if the meeting between the players association and the @NBA went well... Let's all pray that they've made some progress! Twitter

CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, Omri Casspi, NBPA 

Casspi would like to visit Cleveland, but with few players in town and no access to the Cavs coaches or facilities, it doesn't make much sense, at this point. But he is eager to establish himself, especially in the Jewish community. "I've heard a lot of great, great things about the Jewish community in Cleveland," he said. "It's a lot bigger than Sacramento. I'm looking forward to it. I had a really great relationship with the rabbis and the Jewish community in Sacramento, and I'm looking forward to being involved in Cleveland as well. They have a beautiful JCC [Jewish community center]." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Omri Casspi 

"I'm working out every day. I'm just trying to be in the best shape I can be in," said Casspi, who sprained his MCL while practicing with the national team in early August, in a recent telephone interview. The injury has prevented him from playing one-on-one or five-on-five basketball, but he's lifting weights every day and doing individual workouts. He expects to be able to play within a week. "It still hurts, but it feels better every day," he said of the knee. "I feel good. I feel like I'll be ready when the time comes." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Injuries, Omri Casspi 

Omri Casspi: Just heard the news that both sides haven't got to an agreement. I had some hopes that the lockout will be over in a month #endthelockout Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, CBA, Lockout, Omri Casspi, NBPA 

Dubi Pick: Casspi (@Omri Casspi) left Israeli soil for LA, SAC workouts w/ trainer Joe Abunassar & hopes (health wise) of playing in "NBA Vegas league." Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel 

Casspi, who has spent the past two years in the USA with the Sacramento Kings, had hoped to secure a move home following the NBA lockout. But a snag over the amount of tax he would be required to pay has persuaded the 23-year-old to consider joining French side Villeurbane along with San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker. "Unfortunately, several significant problems like taxes have prevented me from joining the team I most wanted to play for," Casspi wrote on his Facebook page. "I wish to thank David Federman and Shimon Mizrahi for their sincerity and understanding throughout the negotiations. I have immense respect for both of them. "I want to thank all Maccabi fans for their love, and at this moment in time I'm as sad as they are." The Jewish Chronicle

Cleveland Cavaliers, Lockout, Omri Casspi, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, France