HoopsHype.com Rumors

Nikola Mirotic: "Mi priority is to play with Real Madrid." ACB.com

Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Rudy Fernandez: "Pau has proved he's one of the best big men in the world and if you pass the ball to him in the paint, he's going to do something good for sure, but D'Antoni doesn't understand it and he forces him to go outside and shoot from distance. Pau is a good shooter but not that good." As

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Spain 

There is still the possibility that Fernandez, a passionate music fan who has dreams of becoming a DJ, will have another go at cracking the NBA -- if his body can withstand the strain. "Who knows in two years, three years, I could back to the NBA if I start to feel better about my back." CNN.com

Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Spain 

A source within an NBA front office told Sheridan Hoops he considers Real Madrid’s Nikola Mirotic to be the best NBA prospect still playing in Europe. I wholeheartedly agree, and that’s why the Bulls would be crazy to part with the Montengrin power forward in a trade for Pau Gasol, or almost anyone else. SheridanHoops

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Sergio Llull, who turns 25 on November 15, will be with Real Madrid for six more seasons. The player is not hiding his happiness with a contract extension that has delighted him. In fact, the Menorcan has stated that if there is another after this one then he will be very pleased: “I want to complete this contract, and when it finishes, hopefully, sign another and spend my whole life with Real Madrid”. Sergio, you arrived in 2007 and now you have extended your contract until 2018. I imagine you are very pleased… Llull: I am very happy, this was what I hoped for; it was what I wanted. The truth is that I want to complete this contract, and when it finishes, hopefully, sign another and spend my whole life with Real Madrid. Real Madrid

Houston Rockets, Real Madrid, Sergio Llull 

You tried two times to play to the NBA, through the summer league. It is still a dream of yours or you feel like Europe (actually Spain) is your home? “I’ve tried several times to play there and I made good games at the practices, but I found my place in Europe and I’ll like to keep playing at this level in a club like Real Madrid. But of course I still want to play in the NBA, so I’ll have to think a lot about it if the possibility to play in the NBA appears”. EuroHoops.net

Real Madrid, Spain, Jaycee Carroll 

"I like his game," Randolph said. "The kid can play. He has to come into his own. But that kid has a shot. I don't think he's physical enough to be in the NBA as a power forward or center as of now. But he can play small forward the way he shoots. He can move real well. I didn't see a lot of ball-handling skills, but he'll be all right." Mirotic, 21, is expected to play for Real Madrid for at least two more seasons. But Bulls management remains extremely high on the 6-foot-10 forward who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in Real Madrid's two exhibition games stateside against the Grizzlies and Raptors. "He can shoot," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "He knows how to play. It's about getting stronger and learning the NBA game. It's so much more aggressive and physical. Over (in Europe), guys just stay on the perimeter and shoot. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Real Madrid, Spain, Lionel Hollins, Nikola Mirotic 

That ease of mind feels like the product of a man who has done his homework. Claver carefully weighed his decision to come to the NBA from overseas after a lengthy courting process by Blazers management. In July, he decided the timing was right, signing a 3-year contract worth a reported $4 million. Part of his due diligence involved talks with Fernandez, who went from hero to goat during three seasons in the Rose City. "What he explained to me about Portland was that everything was good," Claver told Blazersedge. "He liked Portland. He enjoyed the people and the fans. The team. Maybe it wasn't what he expected before he came. At the end, he wasn't as comfortable as he thought." Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Fernandez, Victor Claver, Real Madrid, Spain 

Bulls management is watching Nikola Mirotic, the highly touted 2011 draft-day acquisition, play exhibition games with Real Madrid in Memphis and Toronto. Thibodeau caught Saturday's game on tape. "Some positives," he said. "Some things he has to improve on. But he's highly skilled." Mirotic is expected to remain in Spain for at least two more seasons. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Draft, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Dirk Nowitzki considered the Dallas Mavericks' trip to play in his native Germany "a dream come true." As the Mavericks prepared to hop on their team jet for a 14-hour flight to Berlin, Nowitzki admitted that he was excited to head overseas. The star forward also said he needs about 100 tickets for friends and family to attend Saturday's exhibition game against Alba Berlin, which sold out in less than an hour. "That's not bad for having never played in Germany," Nowitzki said. "I told the NBA, for all the crap I've been doing for them for 14 years, they better hook me up with a bunch of tickets." Those aren't the only tickets Nowitzki wants during the Mavs' European journey. The part of the trip he might be looking forward to the most will occur after the Mavs' arrival in Barcelona on Sunday, when he plans to attend "El Clasico," the twice-annual match between soccer superpowers FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Spain 

Paul George: Shout out my Portuguese brother @Cristiano for these ass whoopings I'm handing out in the new FIFA 13 tonight ! Twitter @King24George

Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Real Madrid, Videogames, Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo 

Kyle Singler: Congratulations to Real Madrid for winning the Super Copa! Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Real Madrid, Spain, Kyle Singler 

Rafael Hettsheimeir has signed with Real Madrid. ESPN.com.br

Real Madrid, Rafael Hettsheimeir 

The Boston Celtics are the favorite to sign the Serbian player who turned down a three-year, $6M offer from Real Madrid in the summer because he wants to play in the NBA. Sportando

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Darko Milicic, Real Madrid 

Real Madrid lost interest in Mehmer Okur when he asked for 3 million euros (around $3.8 million) per year. TuBasket.com

Free Agency, Real Madrid, Mehmet Okur, Spain 

Paco Rabadan: Real Madrid has inquired about Okur. They hung up the phone when told about the money (he was asking for). Twitter

Free Agency, Real Madrid, Mehmet Okur 

Mirotic: "The Bulls know my situation and they respect my contract." Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

"The Bulls came to see me a couple of times last season and we went out to have dinner and talk, and I guess this upcoming season the same will happen again. They know my situation and they respect my contract. I have a contract with Real Madrid to play this season and three more years, but I have a buyout to leave the club and play in the NBA." Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Gustavo Ayon: "I would be proud if I could return to Spain and go back to a team like Real Madrid or Barcelona. I prefer Madrid because I know the city better." Marca.com

Orlando Magic, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Spain, Gustavo Ayon 

Real Madrid and Sergio Llull have agreed to a contract extension until 2018. Encestando

Houston Rockets, Real Madrid, Sergio Llull, Spain