HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Israeli’s league final will probably be the last game of Sofoklis Schortsanitis as a Maccabi Tel Aviv’s player, since the club has already inform him that it will not use the renewal option in his contract for next season. The best offer until now to him from a European elite club, according to Eurohoops.net sources, comes from Spain and Caja Laboral. There is a contract waiting for 27 years old “Sofo” in Vitoria, it’s quite attractive and it’s the first substantial offer for him in the European market. EuroHoops.net

Caja Laboral, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, Spain, Maccabi Tel Aviv 

With Dwight Howard sidelined, do you feel like Spain is going to have the best inside game at the Olympics? Marc Gasol: At the end of the day, it's about finding a balance and playing together. We have to play defense, which is what then makes it easier for us to run and score. Who's the third favorite after the U.S. and Spain at the Games? MG: Argentina has to be up there. They have a terrific team. Better than France? MG: Yeah, France too. But the Argentines have played together for a long time. France has a lot of talent and a good mix of veterans and young guys. But Argentina... I've always loved how they play. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, USA Basketball, Spain, Argentina, France, Marc Gasol, Olympics 

Gasol confirmed that he will indeed captain his Spanish National team in the 2012 London Olympics, and would obviously love another shot at the gold medal, perhaps against Kobe and Team USA. Lakers.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Spain, Team USA 

Victor Claver wants to play in the NBA next season. Claver is seriously considering playing with the Trail Blazers next year. Marca.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Victor Claver, Spain, Valencia Basket 

Claver is under contract with Valencia Basket but his buyout, according to TUBASKET.com, is only 600,000 euros ($760,000). TuBasket.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Victor Claver, Spain, Valencia Basket 

According to La Opinion de Malaga, one of the keys of Unicaja Malaga's summer market is Joel Freeland. The British big man has two more years left on his contract with the Spanish team but he has also an NBA escape to exercise by July 10 behind payment of little more than €1M. Sportando

Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

“I have to talk with my agent about everything,” Freeland told La Opinion De Malaga. Now that we have some downtime, I’ll speak with him and have a look at all my options. “I want to win something and if it can be in (Malaga), all the better. I have a contract here and that’s all I’m thinking about. Like every player, I’d also love to play in the NBA. If I get the opportunity this summer, I don’t know. I can’t say if I’d say yes or no.” MVP 24/7

Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

Rudy Fernandez: Reading the news today, I just want to say that I haven't decided yet... Thanks everybody!! Did you like @el_hormiguero? Twitter

Free Agency, Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Spain 

Rudy Fernandez will play with Real Madrid next season. Marca.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Spain 

Rudy Fernandez: "If I return to Europe, I will play with Real Madrid, as everybody knows. But it's also true that this year I've been very happy in the NBA, with George Karl's system, and we'll see if the Nuggets make a good offer to me or not." TuBasket.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Spain 

If former Blazer draft picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver are technically under contract with their Spanish pro teams, the buyouts are low enough that it won’t be a problem bringing them to the NBA next season, Buchanan says. “European contracts can be interpreted a lot of ways,” the Blazers’ interim GM says. “We’ve had talks with both players and their parties, and we’re hopeful we can get something worked out. It will take some negotiations.” Portland Tribune

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Victor Claver, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja, Valencia Basket 

Freeland will be in Houston in late June for a series of exhibition games with England’s Olympic team, coached by Rockets assistant Chris Finch. “We’ll see Joel when he’s there and will continue to have talks with his agent,” Buchanan says. Portland Tribune

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Victor Claver, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja, Valencia Basket 

Will Rudy be ready to play the Olympics? Joaquin Juan: "Right now everything's OK. We have to make sure he has a full recovery, that everything's perfect and then we will see how it goes." TuBasket.com

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid, Spain, Olympics 

Valencia's general manager makes himself clear when talking about Victor Claver potentially going to the Blazers: "Claver will continue to play with us next year." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Victor Claver, Spain, Valencia Basket 

Sam: The issue with Mirotic’s contract is for three years he is slotted as a low No. 1 pick, which means he can earn a maximum of $1 million. He has a buyout in his contract of supposedly several million dollars, of which the Bulls can contribute $300,000 or $500,000. Plus he makes several million dollars a season. So to come to the NBA anytime before the 2014-15 season could cost him up to $3 million to $5 million a year out of his pocket. Why exactly would he do that? He wouldn’t, of course. After the 2013-14 seasons, the rules change and the Bulls can pay him more and then you can begin talking about him. The NBA won’t see him until at least then. NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Joel Freeland: I'm thinking. As every player, I also want to be in the NBA. If I have the chance this summer... I don't know. I can't say yes or not. La Opinion de Malaga

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland 

Carlos Cabezas: "Some NBA franchises are interested in me and I will have some private workouts with Memphis, Portland and Chicago." Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Carlos Cabezas 

Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars has been in Spain watching 2011 second-round pick Kyle Singler. Singler, a forward from Duke selected by the Pistons with the 33rd overall pick, scored just three points in 10 minutes for Real Madrid in an 86-83 loss to Regal Barcelona on Thursday. He rebounded Sunday by scoring eight points on 3-for-6 shooting with two free throws in 21 minutes in a 95- 82 victory over FIATC Joventut. Singler has averaged 8.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in eight games for Real Madrid in the Euroleague and 7.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 24 games for Real Madrid in the Spanish League. Real Madrid next plays May 17 against Cajasol in the Spanish League quarterfinals. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Real Madrid, Joe Dumars, Spain, Kyle Singler 

Three NBA scouts from the Portland Trailblazers were rumoured to of visited Unicaja Malaga's training facility today to watch Joel Freeland. According to Malaga-based website www.diariosur.es - the scouts were also there to keep an eye on Augusto Lima and Alex Abrines but the main focus was the Great Britain international. Freeland's agent Rafa Calvo has also met with the forward today. He is still on the Portland Trailblazers books and are exploring their options at this time. Freeland has two years left on his contract with Malaga but that contract incudes an NBA-opt-out. TalkBasket

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland 

Dot (Oakland Twp., Mich.): What’s the deal with Kyle Singler? Is he still a part of the team and, if so, will he come back next season? Langlois: The Pistons still own Singler’s NBA draft rights. The expectation is that he will be a part of the team’s summer league entry in Orlando this July. After that, it’s a matter of negotiating a contract for him. It appears Singler is very much open to playi NBA.com

Detroit Pistons, Real Madrid, Spain, Kyle Singler